Ahern to meet Berlusconi over EU constitution

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern will meet with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi in Rome today in a bid to move closer to a resolution on a new EU constitution.

The meeting comes just days after German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder poured cold water on the Taoiseach’s chances of securing agreement on the problematic constitution during Ireland’s six-month presidency.

In advance of travelling to Italy this morning, Mr Ahern said today’s talks would be important given the perspective of the Italians as the last EU president.