Resolving deep divisions over the European Union constitution will be top of the agenda for Ireland when it takes over the EU presidency in the new year, the Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Cowen said today.
Speaking in Brussels, Mr Cowen said a key objective of Ireland's presidency would be to "facilitate consensus" between member states on the thorny issue of voting rights.
Talks were called off last Saturday after rifts over a new voting system forced a deadlock in the negotiations, pitting Poland and Spain against others led by France and Germany.
Mr Cowen said: "On the key question of voting weights, we have made it clear throughout that Ireland would be happy with any reasonable outcome."
He denied the EU was in "insuperable crisis," adding that time for reflection was needed by all sides to assess how a deal can be reached.
The Minister said Ireland will also be responsible for ensuring the smooth entry of 10 new member states which will join the union on May 1st.
He said Ireland will mark the event with a "Day of Welcomes" in Dublin to which the heads of state and the Government of the 25 member and accession countries as well as Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey have been invited.
"Making a success of enlargement and seizing the opportunities which it offers will be a key priority," he said.
Ireland takes over the presidency at the end of a tumultuous year, which has left the EU more divided than ever, after talks to secure the continent's first constitution collapsed last weekend at an EU leaders summit.
The constitution is meant to streamline how the EU makes decisions after it expands by 10 nations in May, and bolster its power abroad by creating the post of a foreign minister and improving defence cooperation.
The aim was to have a deal this month so the new constitution could be put to European voters at European Parliament elections in June. That goal now seems to be slipping away.
Mr Cowen refused to say when negotiations could restart. "I have no doubt that there will be an agreement," he said.
"The main question is when."
The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, was asked toconsult with his counterparts about when would be the right time to resume talks.
He is expected to make an announcement to a summit meeting in March but the European Parliament wants him to ensure that talks restart as early as next month.
"Accommodating that view might be a problem," Mr Cowen said. "Let's be clear, let's be honest, there are difficulties ... it is not easy."
Poland and Spain have been criticised for opposing a key reform in the text that would have lessened their influence in adopting decisions.
The previous deal gave Spain and newcomer Poland almost as much voting power as Germany, which has more than twice the population of either.
Germany and France backed proposals in the draft charter to replace that point system with a formula under which key decisions could be passed by a simple majority of 13 of the 25 members - if they represent 60 per cent of the EU's population.
Addtional reporting by AP
