Chirac renews call for two-speed Europe

President Jacques Chirac renewed France's call yesterday for a two-speed approach to European integration, only days after the new European Union president Ireland rejected the idea as "not helpful".

Mr Chirac argued in his annual New Year's greeting to the diplomatic corps that a Union enlarged to 25 or 27 members will not be able to move towards unity at the same pace as the current 15-member group.

"The more hesitant should not slow down those who are determined to go faster and further," he said in his speech. "Germany and France will naturally be at the heart of these pioneer groups (moving ahead)."

European Commission President Romano Prodi said last week that it might be desirable for Europe to operate at two speeds if stalled talks on its planned constitution were not resolved quickly. Ten mostly ex-communist states will join the EU in May.

Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern rebuked Mr Prodi for the suggestion and said it would create divisions within the bloc. "I don't believe it's a good idea," he said.

Mr Chirac, who in 2000 suggested "pioneer groups" of EU members could advance to tighter unity more quickly than the others, told the diplomats he hoped other founding members of the EU would join France and Germany in pushing ahead.

He added Paris and Berlin also wanted to work "with Britain and all those, current and new members, who want to give more soul and strength to the European Union."

Europe needed clear and legitimate majorities, "a Commission that can continue to embody the general European interest and a Council that escapes as much as possible the risks of paralysis that the consensus rule with 25 members implies," he said.

"I have full confidence in the Irish presidency to give us a fair evaluation of the situation during the European Council in March so we can all reach an agreement on the constitutional treaty," he said. "France will give it its full support."