By Bruno Waterfield - 15th June 2004
Europe’s leaders gather in Brussels for talks to seal an EU constitution and a dinner date to select a new European Commission president.
The summit kicks off at 2.00pm with negotiations on two constitution texts – ‘open’, outstanding, and ‘closed’ issues.
Key institutional questions will dominate discussions – EU voting rights, the size of the commission and the minimum number of European Parliament seats.
Also to be battled out is “a basket of economic governance issues”, heralding a row over the future powers of Brussels to police national budget deficits under the euro’s stability rules.
Another tough talking point will be the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights and a complex legal annex spelling out its interpretation by national or European courts.
At dinner Europe’s heads of state and government will be presented with the Dublin EU presidency’s choice for commission president.
Irish leader Bertie Ahern will not give a menu of choices and his dish of the day is expected to be Belgian prime minister Guy Verhofstadt – a meal the UK may find hard to swallow.
Foreign ministers hold a separate working dinner international issues including the Middle East peace process, Iran and Afghanistan.
Have your say...
Please enter your comments below.