As Estonia marked Europe Day by becoming the 15th EU state to ratify the European Constitution today, the European Commission prepared to defer a decision on how to promote the concept to sceptical voters.
Ireland was among the member states commemorating the 56th anniversary of the declaration that led to what has become the European Union with a series of events today.
The European Movement Ireland launched balloons in Dublin and handed out literature highlighting the progress and benefits of the EU.
Minister of State for European Affairs Noel Treacy told the "Europe Entices" event at Bewley's Cafe in Dublin that the EU was about cultural, as well as political and economic co-operation. He said the recent influx of immigrants from EU accession states was a positive influence on Irish culture.
"The presence here of communities from other European countries affords us an opportunity to appreciate the indispensable diversity of European civilisation and to celebrate and nurture those things that unite us," Mr Treacy said.
The Eiffel Tower in Paris lit in blue early this morning to mark Europe Day
Debate in the Dáil tomorrow has been reserved for discussion exclusively about EU issues as part of Ireland's commemoration of a speech by French foreign minister Robert Schuman in 1950.
Mr Schuman proposed that, as part of an effort prevent the circumstances of World War II recurring, France and Germany should jointly manage their coal and steel industries.
In what became known as the Schuman Declaration, the Luxembourg-born, German-raised French minister suggested that World peace would be better served by a united Europe.
Such solidarity could only be achieved by the key strategic initiative of ending the tradition animosity between France and Germany, he maintained.
With this in mind, he proposed the first step should be the creation of what became known the following year as the European Coal and Steel Community - the precursor to the European Union.
However, the project is currently stalled with strong hints emanating from Brussels that plans to bring Bulgaria and Romania into the Union within the next 18 months may be deferred.
But an EU diplomatic source said putting off a decision might improve the pair's chances.
"Perhaps if the Commission was to make a firm recommendation now, it would have to say 2008, especially in the case of Bulgaria. In the autumn, there may be more reason to say 2007," the diplomat said.
Estonia's endorsement today of the Constitution brokered by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern during Ireland presidency in 2004 was expected, but referendums in France and The Netherlands rejected the document, plunging the EU into stasis.
The European Commission will tomorrow publish proposals that will do little to restore momentum. In a draft copy, the Commission proposes no initiative on the charter until next year, when it urges member states to adopt a declaration to seek accord on institutional reform at some time in the future.
In the meantime, it calls on the EU to make the most of existing treaties to deliver better security, economic growth and jobs, and wait for better times.
"This action cannot wait until there is agreement on an institutional settlement," it said.
Additional reporting Reuters