Rocky road to new EU treaty, warns Ahern

THE Taoiseach yesterday predicted numerous difficulties would arise in the negotiations on finalising the new European Union Treaty.

Ahead of the start of Ireland’s EU presidency next year, Mr Ahern met with French President Jacques Chirac in Paris yesterday to discuss the Government’s plans and EU developments.

The final negotiations on the European Convention may yet take place in Dublin next year, but Mr Ahern said there was a lot of work to be done before getting to that point.

“Many of the 25 countries have fundamental issues that they want discussed or they want concessions on. So while I think there will be general support for the convention, by opening up many of these issues, its going to create numerous difficulties,” said Mr Ahern.

The Taoiseach also expressed his shock at the Israeli government’s decision to expel Palestinian President Yasser Arafat.

The Government was totally opposed to any attempt to take him from his home, he said. Foreign Affairs Minister Brian Cowen will be conveying this view to the Israeli government, he said.

The Israeli Security Cabinet voted in principle to remove Mr Arafat at some point, following the latest spate of suicide bombings by Palestinian militants.