The Taoiseach has said that if agreement on a European constitutional treaty is possible during Ireland's six-month presidency of the EU, he will "spare no effort" to achieve it.
Addressing the Bertelsmann Foundation Forum in Berlin this afternoon, Mr Ahern said it was "clearly disappointing" that it was not possible to bring the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) to a definitive conclusion last month.
"Like others, we had very much hoped that a final agreement would be possible. I believe strongly that the Union needs a new constitutional treaty, making it more effective and efficient, more accountable to its citizens, and better able to play a coherent role in the world, using Europe's combined weight to promote universal values of peace, justice and solidarity," Mr Ahern said.
He said it became clear last month that the "time was not ripe" for agreement. "A basis for compromise, in particular on the key issue of how to define a qualified majority, was not present."
The Taoiseach said he had now begun a consultation process with a view to bringing a report to the spring meeting of the European Council in March. "I have no doubt that there will be eventual agreement on a constitutional treaty. The open questions are exactly what the nature of the agreement will be and when it will happen."
Mr Ahern noted Ireland had taken the theme Europeans: Working Togetherfor its EU presidency. He said Ireland would work to achieve consensus in the IGC and on "the full range of issues on the European Union's agenda".
He said Ireland would work together with its partners to ensure enlargement works for each member state and for the union as a whole. Growth and employment are Ireland's twin priorities for the spring European Council meeting, he said.
In a reference to dissent among some of the larger EU states in relation to the war on Iraq, Mr Ahern said he he firmly believed that "putting past differences behind us" and working together to improve the trans-Atlantic partnership was "in the very clear interests of us all".
The Taoiseach said the EU and the United States have a relationship which is "irreplaceable". "Together we can be a formidable force for good in the world," he said.