Beijing - German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, currently visiting China, on Friday called the Irish referendum rejection of the Lisbon Treaty a serious setback".

"Nevertheless, I am convinced that we need this treaty. (It's) a treaty which makes Europe more democratic, more capable of action and more transparent," Steinmeier said, according to a statement issued by his ministry.

"Therefore we are sticking to our goal of getting it put into force. For this, the ratification process must proceed," the German foreign minister said. (dpa)