Patten to address Dublin Forum on Europe

EU External Affairs Commissioner Chris Patten is due to address the Forum on Europe in Dublin later today.

Mr Patten is due to present his views of the ongoing negotiations on the draft constitution for the European Union.

He is expected to speak in particular about the proposed creation of a post of EU foreign minister.

Under the existing draft constitution, this minister would have the legal authority to sign international treaties on behalf of the EU.

Many member states are concerned about this and want the proposed minister to be accountable to national governments rather than the unelected European Commission.