Chirac and Ahern believe EU constitution close

EU leaders appeared increasingly confident today that the EU’s first constitution can be adopted soon despite months of acrimonious debate over how to share out power in the bloc.

Mon, 22 Mar, 2004 - 19:23

EU leaders appeared increasingly confident today that the EU’s first constitution can be adopted soon despite months of acrimonious debate over how to share out power in the bloc.

French President Jacques Chirac said a deal could be struck when 25 EU leaders meet for their midyear summit in Brussels, six months after the last major drive to break the deadlock ended in high-profile failure.