EU presidency ‘listens and reflects’

Dublin has taken a vow of silence on Europe’s constitutional talks and the appointment of a new Brussels chief.

Irish premier Bertie Ahern, in the EU’s six month presidency hot-seat, is “consulting, listening and reflecting”.

Ahern is overseeing critical negotiations to seal a European constitution and to appoint a new EU executive in November.

Europe is braced for a midsummer Brussels rendez-vous on June 17 – a meeting which must both seal an EU treaty and choose a new European Commuission president.

Until then Ahern is saying nothing on constitution deals or names in the frame for the EU’s top job.

“I will consult with all my colleagues, I will listen to them, but I do not intend to speak about it until my report to… the European summit in June,” he said.

But Dublin has ruled out progress on Europe’s constitution before European elections June 10 – 13 – the preferred option for capitals such as London and Paris.

France, Britain and others are seeking to keep the EU constitution issue cool to prevent euro polls becoming referendums on Europe – and a vehicle for public mistrust of national governments.

“I do not think that it will be possible to conclude before the elections,” Ahern said.

Written proposals on hot constitutional issues such as EU voting rights – the political row that sank December negotiations - are expected for a May 17 meeting of Europe’s foreign leaders.

Internal political turmoil in Poland could prevent constitution progress if Warsaw is unable to form a government over the next two weeks.

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