Chirac en Ahern verwachten mogelijk akkoord Grondwet in juni (en)

EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - Hopes that a deal on the draft EU Constitution can be reached within the first half of this year were given a further boost following a meeting yesterday (Monday 22 March) between France and the Irish EU Presidency.

At a joint press conference afterwards in Paris, both leaders, French president Jacques Chirac and Irish prime minister Bertie Ahern, gave their clearest indication to date that a deal may be in sight.

French President Jacques Chirac, who until now has been publicly reticent on the Treaty blueprint, said he was "determined" to do everything so that an agreement on the Constitution can be found at a meeting of EU leaders on 17-18 June.

"Today we think that it is possible to reach an agreement by this date", said the French president, who was backed up by Mr Ahern, according to agency reports.

Mr Chirac's comments follow in the footsteps of important U-turns by Madrid and Warsaw towards a compromise on a proposed new voting system - it is over this issue that talks collapsed in December.

A revised compromise voting system being considered would see a decision being taken when supported by 55% of member states representing 55% of the EU population.

This compromise would mean that a combination of Germany, France and Britain - the EU's biggest countries - could not block a decision without the backing of other member states.

Influence of terror attacks

There have been signs that the recent terror attacks in Madrid have focussed political will for having an EU Constitution.

Speaking at a meeting of EU foreign ministers on Monday, France's Dominique de Villepin said that following the attacks it was time for the EU to affirm its "vision".

Similarly, his German counterpart Joschka Fischer said that the challenges involved with fighting terrorism needed "an effective, democratic and strong Europe". He added that this could only be achieved with a Constitution.

All depends on the dinner date

All these signs have been interpreted positively by the Irish EU Presidency which has been quietly but determinedly working towards an agreement.

A senior EU diplomat told the EUobserver that Mr Chirac's words are being seen "very positively".

However, the decision to formally revive the talks on the Constitution will depend on what EU leaders decide over dinner on Thursday evening in Brussels.

Mr Ahern will circulate a summary document on Wednesday outlining the status quo - and is set to give a more frank overview on Thursday.

Afterwards a decision will be made.

"It is up to them to decide 'well do we resurrect this thing together, or do we let it fall'," said the diplomat.