Stockholm  - The rejection of the EU reform treaty by Irish voters was a "setback," Swedish EU Affairs Minister Cecilia Malmstrom said Friday as counting was underway in Ireland.

Malmstrom said she was "not surprised" by the outcome citing that polls had suggested it would be a tight race, she told Swedish radio news, adding she "respected" the Irish vote.

The no-vote was "not a crisis but it was a setback" for the European Union, Malmstrom said, adding that the 27-nation bloc continued to function.

An upcoming summit of EU leaders will offer an opportunity to assess the outcome in more detail, Malmstrom added.

Sweden has not ratified the Lisbon Treaty, but "Sweden intends to continue the ratification process," Malmstrom said, noting that 17 countries had approved the treaty.

A parliamentary vote is slated for this autumn. (dpa)