DUBLIN : French President Nicolas Sarkozy said in an interview published Saturday he would "listen and understand" why Irish voters rejected the European Union's reform treaty when he visits the country.

"I need to understand the message that the Irish wanted to convey in voting 'No' to a treaty signed by the representatives of the 27 member states," he told the Irish Times newspaper in response to a series of written questions.

"I was one of the first European leaders to say publicly that the democratic decision of the Irish people should be respected."

Sarkozy, who visits Monday, rejected the idea that the other 26 member states could go ahead with the Lisbon Treaty without Ireland, insisting that he does not want a "multi-speed Europe".

Such a situation "can only be a solution of last resort", said the French leader, whose country currently holds the rotating six-month EU presidency.

The visit is surrounded by controversy here, as politicians reacted angrily last week to when he said that Ireland would have to vote again, despite 53 percent opposition to the document in a referendum held last month.

Leader of the left-of centre Labour Party, Eamon Gilmore, has declined an invitation to participate in a round-table meeting with Sarkozy, saying the format of the proposed meeting was "pointless".

"It is unclear what, if anything, such a meeting could actually achieve," he said.

"The time allowed would not permit any real engagement on the issues. In all probability such a meeting would probably become a re-enactment of the Lisbon debate. That debate is over and the referendum has delivered a result."

The main right-of-centre Fine Gael opposition leader Enda Kenny may also snub the meeting, according to media reports.

The Irish Times said both opposition party leaders -- who strongly campaigned in favour of the treaty -- were "angered" by the plan for an hour-long meeting at the French embassy.

That was because they would be given the same status as unelected anti-Lisbon campaigners, who will also be attending, the newspaper said.

During his brief visit, Sarkozy is also due to hold talks with Prime Minister Brian Cowen.

Meanwhile, Sarkozy made clear that a decision needed to be reached on the way forward before elections to the European parliament next year, and the Irish "no" vote reflected their criticisms about the way the bloc functions.

"We need to find the right ways to address these concerns and criticisms... That is why I have come to Dublin: to listen and understand," he added

Aside from Ireland, parliaments in the Czech Republic, Sweden and Italy have yet to ratify while Polish President Lech Kaczynski has yet to sign the ratification.

- AFP /ls