EU leaders firm on ratification despite Ireland's rejection

European Union leaders will call for a breathing space before they try to revive the stalled Treaty of Lisbon following Ireland's rejection of the blueprint.

EU foreign ministers, meeting in Luxembourg yesterday, admitted there could be "no quick fix" as they tried to calm Ireland's fears that the EU will either go ahead with the treaty without Ireland or ignore last week's referendum by pressurising the country to vote a second time on an amended treaty.

The talks sought to lower the temperature after a weekend of speculation about how the EU should respond to the latest crisis over its attempt to streamline its decision-making rules following its expansion to 27 member states.

The foreign ministers agreed to play down talk of a "two-speed Europe", in which an inner core including France and Germany would press ahead with further integration without other nations – a move which would deeply divide the Union.

Privately, EU diplomats say there could be a second Irish referendum next year but admit that it would be wrong to talk up the prospect now as this would give the impression the EU was overriding the wishes of its citizens. The other main option is to abandon the treaty and rely on the existing decision-making procedures – but most EU members are reluctant to do that.

For now, however, EU leaders including Gordon Brown are coalescing around the idea of a pause to give the Irish government time to think about the way forward. They meet in Brussels on Thursday and are likely to shelve the crucial decisions until October or December. In the meantime, those countries, including Britain, which have yet to approve the treaty will continue with the ratification process to keep it alive. One Dutch diplomat– Holland is set to rubber-stamp the treaty next month – said: "Ratification is the only game in town."

Despite yesterday's calls for cool heads, differences over the way ahead are not far beneath the surface. Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor, said the EU needed the treaty. "Together with Ireland we have to work out a solution and the process of ratification should be finalised in all 26 other countries," she said. "I am sure we will develop a solution for Ireland."

But the Czech Republic resisted pressure to go ahead with ratification, saying it would keep its options open. Mirek Topolanek, the Prime Minister, said: "I do not think anybody has a completely clear idea in respect of continuing the ratification process."

Nicolas Sarkozy, the French President, whose country takes over the EU's rotating presidency on 1 July, wants to travel to Dublin to try to resolve the crisis. "We shall not create gaps between those who have ratified, those who will ratify and the one country which rejected the Lisbon Treaty," he said.

Micheal Martin, the Irish Foreign Affairs minister, said all other EU members had shown "solidarity" with Ireland's plight. "I stress the importance of the Irish government having time and space to understand comprehensively what happened," he said.

David Miliband, the Foreign Secretary, said there would be no "rush to judgment" over Ireland's rejection of the treaty and no "quick fix". In the Commons, he promised there would no "bullying" of the Irish government, which would be allowed to "take its time". He said EU leaders would not make a final decision at the Brussels summit.

The Tory Opposition called for the immediate suspension of Britain's plans to ratify the treaty, which is due to clear its final parliamentary hurdle in the House of Lords tomorrow. William Hague, the shadow Foreign Secretary, said the Government should make clear "the treaty is finished".

But Mr Miliband argued that Britain should approve the treaty so that it could influence the debate in Europe on the way ahead. Delay "is not a recipe for strength for Britain but would represent weakness for Britain", he said.