Mon, May 17, 2004 page6

• EU ministers push for finalizing constitution

  • AFP
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  EU foreign ministers gather in Brussels today to launch a final high-stakes push to hammer out a constitution for the enlarged bloc, with the clock ticking towards a deadline only a month away.

  The EU hopes to finally agree the long-disputed text at a June 17 to June 18 summit, six months after its leaders failed spectacularly to seal a deal in December amid bitter splits over the power-charged issue of voting rights.

  But even if an accord is struck, big question marks remain: In particular since it must be ratified by all 25 EU states including famously euroskeptic Britain, whose referendum plans some fear could scupper the whole project.

  The EU's Irish presidency is however fixing its aim firmly on the coming weeks, starting today when the bloc's ministers will sit down in Brussels to formally resume their intergovernmental conference on the constitution.

  "All member states are very aware of the high stakes involved ... We're going ahead in a mood of determination, of optimism and commitment," said a senior diplomat from the EU's Irish presidency.

  The EU has been battling for over two years to forge a new constitution designed to avoid decision-making gridlock in the Union, which expanded from 15 to 25 members on May 1 and could grow to 30 or more states in years to come.

  Efforts stalled in December in an acrimonious row over voting rights for Spain and Poland, but were revived after the surprise change of government in Madrid following the March 11 bombings there.

  Two key sticking points remain: Voting rights and the size and composition of the European Commission.

  On the vexed voting issue, the EU is arguing over plans to introduce a "double majority" voting system, under which any decision would need support from 50 percent of EU states representing 60 percent of the bloc's population.

  Smaller EU states are also alarmed that the percentages would make it too easy for big EU countries to steamroller through decisions, and want to increase the proportions to, for example, 55 percent and 65 percent.

  On the commission, smaller EU states are adamant on retaining the principle of one full commissioner per member state. But critics argue that this will become unwieldy in the long term. A consensus seems to be building to streamline the body from 2014, but the details will need some fierce haggling.

  Apart from the nitty-gritty of the issues, one cloud looming larger concerns events in Poland: Prime minister-designate Marek Belka's failure to win a confidence vote on Friday leaves Warsaw in political limbo just as the haggling is set to go down to the wire.

  Analysts believe Poland could be heading for early elections in August, a prospect which could seriously compromise the EU negotiations.

  Dublin is keeping an eye on the situation, but insists there's no need to panic. "We're not speculating about possibility situations that might pose problems. We hope that they won't arise," said the Irish diplomat.

  But beyond the coming month's haggle-fest, perhaps the biggest cloud on the horizon is the ratification process, and in particular the referendums expected to be held in at least six or seven states.

  Tony Blair's decision to let Briton's have the "final say" has in particular sparked alarm bells across Europe, fueling veiled warnings that Britain could be sidelined or even forced out in case of a referendum "no" vote.

  Dublin is determined not to be distracted by the speculation.

  "We are trying to keep that issue well away from discussions," an Irish diplomat said. "We would prefer to keep it on the issues we need to discuss."
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