Prodi gloom on economic reform

European Commission Chief Romano Prodi has conceded he does not expect EU leaders to make much progress on economic reform at the March Brussels summit.

The gathering which was originally planned to kickstart Europe’s flagging economy through boosts to jobs and growth has been overshadowed by the Madrid bombings and the fight against terror.

"I have to be honest with you, and I can’t really expect there to be any major progress to be made in this area," said Prodi of the EU’s ‘Lisbon’ goal to become the world’s most competitive economy by 2010.

"We run the risk of simply not making it [2010]. Unless there is a change we have to own up and admit that we are not going to catch up with Japan and the US."

But the Irish EU presidency has insisted it does not want the economic reform agenda to be sidelined by other pressing issues at the summit.

“This is the less glamourous side of the summit but the Taoiseach will make sure that time is dedicated to it on Friday morning,” said Irish Ambassador to the EU Anne Anderson.

She said Dublin was hoping for a “solid discussion” but admitted that the prospects for concrete proposals were limited.

“There are no gimmicks, we are not about to pull a rabbit out of our hat and say here you are, here’s the solution to our growth and job problems,” Anderson said.

"I'm not promising anyone high drama."

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