Mr Cowen's visit to Paris, which follows Mr Sarkozy's visit to Dublin on 21 July last, was in the context of the preparations for the European Council of 15 and 16 October next, and in particular the planned review of the situation with regard to the Treaty of Lisbon. Indeed, it was at Ireland's suggestion that the June European Council had planned to return to the issue of the Treaty of Lisbon at its meeting in October.
Mr Cowen indicated to Mr Sarkozy that at the European Council he would present the in-depth survey commissioned by the Irish government analysing the motivations which led to the referendum of 12 June last and the conclusions which he has drawn from it.
Mr Sarkozy recalled that the Treaty of Lisbon ratification process should continue and that the French Presidency's objective was to reach an agreement of the 27 at the European Council in December on a common approach ahead of the 2009 European Parliament elections and renewal of the European Commission.