Cowen aims to present EU constitution proposals in March

THE Government will aim to present proposals for the final draft of the Constitution for Europe to EU leaders in March, Foreign Affairs Minister Brian Cowen said yesterday.

All 25 foreign ministers together with parliament president Pat Cox will meet on Monday for the first time since the failed December attempt to agree the new treaty at the invitation of Mr Cowen.

Under pressure from MEPs to progress work on the Constitution when he addressed them in Brussels yesterday, Mr Cowen said that Monday’s meeting would be an important signal that work is continuing.