Arthur Beesley
Political Reporter
The German Foreign Minister, Mr Joschka Fischer, has said he is optimistic about the prospects for agreement on a new EU constitution during the Ireland's EU presidency.
But Mr Fischer insisted at a briefing in Dublin yesterday that Germany will not change its demand for a new voting system among EU governments.
"In a union of 25, I think we should not stick to a system which is based on blocking minorities. We should go away, move forward to a system which is based on constructive majorities."
Germany favours a "double majority" system that would allow a majority of member-states representing 60 per cent of the EU's population to approve any measure.
The opposition of Spain and Poland to such a measure led to the collapse of the EU summit convened in Italy last month to agree a new constitution.
Spain and Poland claim they should retain their 25 votes each at the Council of Ministers. This is two less than Germany, whose population is larger than the two countries combined.
Noting that Germany was the biggest contributor to the EU budget, Mr Fischer said: "For the sake of an enlarged union, for the acceptance of the people, what we need is a more simpler, therefore more understandable, and more democratic and more constructive voting system."
Mr Cowen said at the briefing that he and the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, will take soundings from other EU leaders before deciding whether to make a renewed push for agreement during the Irish presidency.
"The prospects of resuming negotiations must take place on the basis of being successfully concluded. As a presidency, we cannot impose a consensus."
Mr Fischer refused to elaborate on remarks by the German Chancellor, Mr Gerhard Schröder, who said this month that a two-tier EU - with a core group forging ahead - could be inevitable if agreement is not reached in 2004.
The Taoiseach has expressed strong opposition to this view.
Mr Fischer and Mr Cowen were speaking after a working lunch at Iveagh House in Dublin. Mr Fischer walked afterwards to Government Buildings on Merrion Street for a courtesy call to Mr Ahern.
Mr Cowen meets Spain's Foreign Minister, Ms Ana Palacio, on Thursday evening in Dublin.