http://www.openeurope.org.ukThe latest daily press summaries from Open Europe(c) 2008 Open Europe. All rights reserved.5 The Telegraph looks at today’s conference with Valéry Giscard d'Estaing - former French President and one of the authors of the EU Constitution, later renamed the Lisbon Treaty – in which he will express support for a “special status” for Britain in the EU.http://www.openeurope.org.uk/media-centre/summary.aspx?id=67508 September 2008 The Telegraph reports that European Commission officials are currently carrying out a feasibility study to examine the implementation of minimum gas stockpiles for EU member states. "There will be legislation along the lines of the Strategic Oil Stocks Directive in October or November," said an official.http://www.openeurope.org.uk/media-centre/summary.aspx?id=67405 September 2008The Irish Times reports that Russia has agreed to send four helicopters and up to 200 military personnel to take part in the EU mission to Chad despite recent tensions with Europe over its role in the Georgian crisis. It is reported that EU officials this week after discussion decided to accept Russia’s offer.http://www.openeurope.org.uk/media-centre/summary.aspx?id=67304 September 2008 The Times reports that the European Parliament has overwhelmingly adopted a proposal that would allow citizens to be extradited automatically to another EU country after having been convicted by a foreign court in their absence. Judgements in absentia would be recognized by several countries that do not currently allow this practice in their own judicial system, including Britain.http://www.openeurope.org.uk/media-centre/summary.aspx?id=67203 September 2008The Irish Independent reports that Irish PM Brian Cowen has indicated that parts of the Lisbon Treaty can be ratified in the Dail (Irish lower chamber) without a referendum. The article notes that “it is understood that Mr Cowen sees this course of action as an option.http://www.openeurope.org.uk/media-centre/summary.aspx?id=67102 September 2008 A poll for the Irish Sunday Independent by Quantum Research shows that if another referendum on the Lisbon Treaty were held, 44 per cent of Irish people would vote 'No' - a drop of 8 per cent since the paper’s last poll four weeks ago. 42 per cent would vote 'Yes', a 1 per cent increase, while 14 per cent now say they do not know how they would vote, a 7 per cent increase.http://www.openeurope.org.uk/media-centre/summary.aspx?id=67001 September 2008 European Union diplomats yesterday agreed to increase assistance to Georgia but shied away from threats to impose sanctions against Moscow as a result of continuing divisions over the approach to take to Russia. There was no consensus on whether to postpone discussions on a new partnership agreement with Russia, scheduled for September 16.http://www.openeurope.org.uk/media-centre/summary.aspx?id=66929 August 2008Irish PM admits second Lisbon referendum will be considered The Irish Independent reports that Taoiseach Brian Cowen has conceded the government will have to consider a second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. He said: "I'm saying it's simply a matter the Government have to consider in due course.http://www.openeurope.org.uk/media-centre/summary.aspx?id=66828 August 2008 The FT reports that a second Irish referendum on the Lisbon Treaty appears unlikely to take place before the European Parliament elections in June 2009. Following Irish Europe Minister Dick Roche’s comment earlier in the week – in which he said that a second vote was "appropriate” – the Greens, members of the Fianna Fail-led coalition, as well as Fine Gael and Labour, the main opposition parties, have ruled out the possibility of a second referendum in the short term.http://www.openeurope.org.uk/media-centre/summary.aspx?id=66727 August 2008In an interview with yesterday’s Irish Independent, Irish Europe Minister Dick Roche said a second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty is “the appropriate response” for Ireland. He said: "My personal view is that a referendum is the appropriate response to the position we are in.http://www.openeurope.org.uk/media-centre/summary.aspx?id=66626 August 2008