Ahern: ‘Help me’

Ireland’s “highest priority” is reviving Europe’s moribund constitution but Dublin can not do it alone, the incoming EU president has told MEPs.

Bertie Ahern has promised the European Parliament that he is seeking the “earliest possible” resolution to negotiations after the December collapse of constitution talks.

“I pledge to you that the Irish presidency will spare no effort,” he said.

But the Irish prime minister warned “that it remains to be seen” whether a deal can be done during his six month term in the EU's rotating presidency.

“The reason I am not overstating the position of what the Irish presidency can do is because I can not do it on my own. I do not want to come back to you… and make excuses.”

“We need help,” Ahern insisted.

“I will do my best but I can not do on my own.”

MEPs are concerned that stalled constitution talks could impact on the turn out at June 2004 European elections.

Urging EU leaders to find the “collective political will” to agree, Ahern told the parliament that “excessive delay will weaken” Europe.

“The facts are simple: if everyone sticks to their present position there is no hope I conclude this.”

Dublin has so far canvassed ten national capitals with critical meetings between Ahern, Germany, Spain and Poland over the next two weeks.

“It is too early to tell at this stage”, the Irish PM believes to set a target for re-launching talks in the next six months.

“I will follow the mandate that I have been given… [to] report back in March. If we can move on from that to [talks] I will. If I believe it is not possible to reach consensus I will not, because I think a second failure will make life more difficult for the future.”

Ahern is asking EU leaders to spell out “red line” areas of disagreement or declare a willingness to move before negotiations re-open.

“Stage One does everyone want to move,” he said. “Stage Two where are we moving to.”

But the Irish premier is stressing that delay is dangerous as the EU braces itself for national elections in Spain, European elections in June and a new European Commission in November.

“I think a lot of issues we have now have almost been agreed… at least people are clear about them, in a year’s time they will not be so clear. It will be far more difficult to conclude a constitution,” he said.

An upbeat European Commission chief Romano Prodi vowed his support for Ireland’s efforts to “evolve and mature” deadlocked constitution proposals.

“Agreement may well be nigh,” he told MEPs.

And Prodi expressed his optimism that progress could forestall threats by some countries to press ahead with EU integration in the absence of a European constitution.

“I fully believe we are in reach of solutions that mean we can all move forward and not just a few,” he said.

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