Prodi hails ambitious Irish presidency plan

By Martin Banks

Date: 15/01/04

EUROPEAN Commission President Romano Prodi yesterday (14 January) hailed the Irish programme for its six-month presidency of the EU as "ambitious" and "full of ideas".

He made his comments after Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern outlined his country's plans at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

Ahern, who opened his address to MEPs by speaking in Gaelic, said Ireland would "spare no effort" in trying to break the deadlock on stalled discussions over a new European constitution.

Prodi, who has clashed with Ahern over the possible emergence of a two-speed Europe, said he believed agreement on a treaty was "not far away".

But, addressing a news conference afterwards, he warned that failure to reach agreement by the end of this year will result in a hard core of member states forging ahead together.

Ahern had earlier described similar comments from Prodi as "not helpful" but yesterday the pair presented a more united front.

Prodi said: "The Commission sees approval of the constitution as an absolute priority. The stumbling blocks are not insurmountable if member states make a further effort to develop a consensus. If this happens, and I know Bertie Ahern is a master of patience and persuasiveness, agreement may not be far away."

While earmarking a new treaty as the top priority of his presidency, Ahern warned, however, that "it remains to be seen" whether a deal can be done before the summer.

"We all hoped agreement could be reached last month and were disappointed when it was not. It now falls to Ireland to try to make further progress and we have taken up this challenge and will do all we can in our power to see it through."

The premier said it was important to seek a deal before the European elections, adding: "The difficulty in coming back to the issue in the autumn is that we will then have a new Commission, a new Parliament and new personalities, which means the task will not get any easier. The big problem of further delay is that the issues which were resolved in the Convention will inevitably re-awaken.

"There are about six outstanding issues and my job over the next few weeks is to establish which member states are not prepared to move."

Ahern, who dined with Irish MEPs on Tuesday, urged EU leaders to find the "collective political will" to agree and warned that "excessive delay will weaken" Europe.

Irish premier since 1997, Ahern added: "I've spoken to many of my colleagues on the European Council and all have indicated their commitment to helping us find a way forward. I can assure everyone that if my consultations suggest there is a real prospect I will move immediately to seize the opportunity."

MEPs generally welcomed the Irish programme, but Liberal group leader Graham Watson said that enlargement without a constitution was "like changing the oil when the EU needs a new engine.

"We should not be tempted to think we can separate enlargement from agreement on the instrument designed to make that step possible."

He commented that following the turbulent Italian presidency, there were grounds for renewed optimism.

Socialist group leader Enrique Barón Crespo said: "The most important issue facing the EU and the Irish presidency over the next six months is finding agreement on a constitution. The priority is to engage immediately in discussions aimed at finding a way around the impasse".

Irish Socialist MEP Proinsias De Rossa said Ireland faced an "onerous" task in trying to reach agreement and warned: "The Parliament will not accept any old outcome - the constitution must remain largely intact."

The Irish Prime Minister, Bertie Ahern, addressed the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 14 January 2004 to outline the priorities for the Irish Presidency of the European Union. Mr Ahern said that a deal on the European constitution was the top priority of the Presidency.

• Primary Source

BBC News, 14.01.04: Ahern warns on constitution delay http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3395747.stm

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