Ahern firmly rejects idea of two-speed Europe

Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, in a sharp rebuke to European Commission President Romano Prodi, yesterday firmly rejected the idea of a two-speed approach to European Union integration.

Speaking just days after Ireland took over the six-month rotating presidency of the European Union, Mr Ahern described the suggestion that some countries could integrate at a faster pace than others as 'not helpful'.

Mr Prodi said last week that Europe might end up operating at two speeds if stalled negotiations on a new EU charter, needed to ensure the bloc can cope when it expands eastwards this year May, are not resolved quickly.

"Mr Prodi has been talking about this for years and I have never stopped reminding him that I don't believe it's a good idea. I'm not going to stop now," Mr Ahern told state-owned RTE radio.

He said he would leave Mr Prodi in no doubt of his opposition when the two meet in Dublin this week to discuss Ireland's agenda for its presidency.

Talks on the constitution broke down at a summit last month with members unable to agree on future voting powers after the 15-member bloc expands to take in 10 mostly ex-communist countries in May.

France and Germany, blocked in their bid for more voting power by Spain and Poland, have said they could lead 'pioneer groups' of like-minded countries towards closer integration, raising the prospect of a two-speed Europe.

Earlier, Mr Ahern told BBC television that a two-speed Europe would create divisions within the bloc.

"There are integrationists in Europe that want to move at an enormously fast pace, there are others who want to move at a more moderate pace - and it is the challenge for Europe to be able to deal with those issues in a sensible way," he added.

Charged with taking soundings from fellow EU leaders on the best way forward over the constitution in coming weeks, Mr Ahern is due to deliver a progress report to the European Council in March.

"However, I believe the difficulties are more fundamental than just weighted voting rights, as there are other issues about how enlargement is going to settle down," he warned.

European Parliament elections in June and the appointment of a new European Commission could put further obstacles in the way of a deal being struck and the Irish may end up passing the baton to Holland, next in line to take over the EU presidency.

Rejecting Mr Prodi's criticism at the pace of European integration, Mr Ahern said it was wrong to say that 'we are the slowest wagon'.

He pointed to the EU's ambitious agenda for 2004 which includes overseeing negotiations with Romania and Bulgaria on potentially joining the bloc in 2007, and also the issue of Turkish membership.