Ahern in crisis talks on EU treaty

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern visits Luxembourg and Berlin today for crucial talks on the troubled EU Constitution.

Mr Ahern will first meet Luxembourg prime minister Jean-Claude Junker for bilateral talks ahead of the European Council summit in Gothenburg on June 15.

The leaders will discuss the EU Constitution and EU budgets from 2007 to 2013.

A Government spokesman said: “Luxembourg are current holders of the EU presidency and Mr Junker and Mr Ahern will be keen to discuss current issues in relation to the EU Constitution in light of referendums in France and the Netherlands.”

Luxembourg, a founder member of the EU, holds a referendum on the treaty next month.

France and the Netherlands have already rejected the blueprint.

The Taoiseach will also hold a meeting today with Germany’s Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder in Berlin to discuss the EU Constitution and UN reform.

Germany ratified the Constitution through its parliament last week.

A Government spokesman added: “Mr Ahern will also speak at the Humboldt University in the German capital on the theme: Europe, Our Common Home.”