The Irish Presidency of the European Union starts its most challenging month on Monday as foreign ministers meet to thrash out the text of a constitution for the bloc, ahead of a summit of EU leaders on June 17
Published:
17 May 2004 y., Monday
Irish Premier Bertie Ahern has been touring EU capitals since early May to try to reach consensus on outstanding wrangles in the charter, seen as vital for the smooth running of the bloc which expanded on May 1 to 25 members from 15.
His trips appear to be paying off, with Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero of Spain - with Poland one of two countries blamed for the collapse of talks on the charter last December - saying on Friday the bloc was close to agreement.
"We are close to what may be an understanding and global consensus in the whole Union," he said after meeting Ahern in Madrid.
The charter, drafted by a 105-member convention of lawmakers from across the bloc, failed to gain acceptance last year mainly because of disagreement over how voting powers should be divided between member states.
Šaltinis:
scandinavianews.com
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.
The most popular articles
Japan nuclear crisis now at highest rating, matching Chernobyl, causing greater unease among public
more »
The restoration of the Santa Croce Basilica in Florence is offering art lovers an intimate view of the chapel's 600-year-old frescoes.
more »
Tomorrow, April 5, President of the Republic of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaitė goes to Norway for a two-day state visit.
more »
President of the Republic of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaitė met with India's Minister of State for External Affairs, Preneet Kaur, who is visiting Lithuania.
more »
The President of the Republic of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaitė takes part in the Munich Security Conference.
more »
President Dalia Grybauskaitė extended condolences to the people of Russia over the bomb explosion in Moscow that claimed many victims.
more »
President of the Republic of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaitė had a traditional annual meeting with foreign ambassadors accredited to and resident in Lithuania, to discuss the domestic political situation and foreign policy of Lithuania.
more »
President of the Republic of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaitė met with U.S. Senator Richard Durbin.
more »
President of the Republic of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaitė visited the Antakalnis Cemetery to honour the memory of those killed on January 13.
more »
President of the Republic of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaitė and Minister of Foreign Affairs Audronius Ažubalis, the new OSCE Chairperson–in–Office as from 1 January, discussed priorities and main concerns for the Lithuanian Chairmanship of this Organization.
more »