Ahern on European tour to sell constitution

An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern held talks with his Slovak counterpart today to discuss the European Union’s draft constitution.

The constitution seeks to simplify decision-making in the EU – which grew from 15 to 25 members on May 1 – and prevent a minority of states from blocking decisions. It calls for an EU president and foreign minister.

Negotiations fell apart last December and resumed this week after a five-month cooling-off period.

“We’re working hard to try to achieve a success in completion of those negotiations in the weeks ahead, and of course we cannot do that in the Irish presidency without cooperation from all countries,” Mr Ahern said in Bratislava.

After talks with Prime Minister Mikulas Dzurinda, Mr Ahern left for neighbouring Hungary.