Cowen to face EU leaders amid economic crisis talks

Taoiseach Brian Cowen will today travel to Brussels to face his EU counterparts and discuss the economic crisis.

The heads of state and government at a meeting of the European Council are also due to agree the wording of a treaty amendment to provide for a permanent mechanism to safeguard the financial stability of the euro area.

A Government spokesman said Ireland will be seeking to ensure any amendment is fully compatible with the Irish Constitution.

Minister for European Affairs, Dick Roche, will also attend the summit where members will hear about the European Union’s relations with its strategic partners including the US, Russia and China.

Meanwhile Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny will attend a meeting of the European People’s Party (EPP) in the Belgian capital where he will address members on the economic and political situation in Ireland.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the prime ministers of France, Italy, Poland, Hungary, Sweden and Belgium will be among the heads of government at the summit.