Prodi verwacht de Europese Grondwet in 2004 (en)

European Commission President Romano Prodi has said he believes that a deal on the Constitution could be reached in 2004 - and possibly during the first half of this year.

"I think so, but I am also confident that it could be during the first half of the year", said Mr Prodi when asked at a seminar in Paris on Tuesday (27 January) whether agreement could be reached this year.

His words follow a generally upbeat meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels on Monday when several member states stressed the importance of striking a deal as soon as possible.

Member states are aware that if the talks - which collapsed at a summit last - slide into late 2004, or 2005, the problems are only likely to be greater.

At this time, a new European Commission will be finding its feet, while talks on future funding of the EU - always a bitter subject - will have taken off.

The current EU Presidency, Ireland, will present a progress report on the Constitution to EU leaders at a Summit in March and from there will be decided whether to pursue a deal in earnest.

More hot water on the euro rules

During the same seminar, entitled "strong euro, strong Europe?", Mr Prodi criticised the euro rules, saying that they were a "static instrument" that "is not going to help growth", according to French newswire AFP.

These comments come as the Commission is taking EU finance ministers to court over the rules - known as the Stability and Growth Pact.

Mr Prodi famously caused uproar in the EU in October 2002 by describing the Pact as "stupid".