Leiders Europese Unie willen Grondwet vóór juli 2004 (en)

EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - EU leaders have formally committed themselves to reaching a deal on the Constitution within the first half of this year.

Announcing the decision, Irish prime minister and current head of the EU Bertie Ahern said that member states had agreed the Constitution should be finalised by 17-18 June.

"I asked colleagues to commit themselves to a timetable", said Mr Ahern adding "we all want to see a constitution in place as soon as we can.".

"I am delighted negotiations can get under way again", said European Commission President Romano Prodi after the two-hour dicussion.

Their agreement comes just three months after talks on the treaty blueprint collapsed in acrimony over a disagreement on the proposed new voting system.

At the time Germany, which is favour of the system, was pitted against Spain and Poland which were strongly opposed.

However, following a u-turn in Spain's stance with its new government and a softening of Warsaw's position coupled with a renewed sense of commitment after the Madrid bombings, the bloc as a whole has recommitted itself to the project.

Timing

The next big issue is timing. The Constitution could be agreed earlier than the deadline they have set themselves.

While Ireland and several other countries including the Benelux countries, Denmark, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia would like to see a deal before the European elections, others are not so sure.

France and the UK particularly fear that the elections would immediately become a referendum on the Constitution.

Other factors will also influence timing. Real negotiations with Madrid can only start once the new government is in place which is only expected mid-April.

Similarly, things are currently looking very shaky for the Polish government which could fall over the next few weeks.

Cannot fail twice

Diplomats present at the meeting said that EU leaders agreed to give the Irish `carte blanche' for a decision to call a final summit on the Constitution so long as they do it "when they are certain the time is right".

Mr Ahern said that work "will commence next week". He did not commit himself to any dates for when EU foreign ministers may take the work forward, nor did he give anything on away on the substantial issues that still have to be agreed.

He continued the low-key approach that has characterised the Irish Presidency since it took over the EU reins at the beginning of the year by saying there are over 20 items still to be agreed.

Fellow Irishman and president of the European Parliament Pat Cox was far more upbeat saying he was confident of a deal by the end of June.

"This is the grand project of new Europe", said Mr Cox.