Italy says EU treaty rejection a serious blow

ROME (Reuters) - The rejection by Irish voters of the European Union's Lisbon treaty will prevent the bloc from taking key decisions on issues like security and energy, Italy's foreign minister said, calling it a serious blow.

Franco Frattini said the path of European integration could not be stopped, however, citing the ratification process that other member states could proceed with.

"It is a serious blow to European construction, which for now does not allow the adoption of essential decisions on security, the management of immigration, energy politics or the protection of the environment," said Frattini, a former European justice and security commissioner.

He urged EU states to begin working together again without taking hasty unilateral decisions.

Italian President Giorgio Napolitano was more critical, calling for states obstructing integration to be left out of the

EU.

"Now is the time for a courageous choice by those who want coherent progress in building Europe, leaving out those who despite solemn, signed pledges threaten to block it," Napolitano said in a statement.

The treaty's rejection in Ireland has put plans to overhaul the bloc's institutions in peril.

Ireland was the only country in the 27-nation bloc to hold a referendum on the treaty, which foresees a long-term president of the European Council of EU leaders, a stronger foreign policy chief and a mutual defense pact.

(Reporting by Deepa Babington; Editing by Catherine Evans)