The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, was in Denmark and Latvia today as he completes his tour of European Union states ahead of Ireland's six-month presidency of the community.
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Mr Ahern on tour ahead of Ireland's EU presidency
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Mr Ahern met Latvian Prime Minister Einars Repse in Riga and Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen in Copenhagen during today's visits. Denmark held the EU presidency, which Ireland takes over on January 1st, in the latter half of 2002.
Mr Ahern described forthcoming discussions on the future of Europe as among the most important in which Ireland would ever be involved.
The Taoiseach said the "end-game" for the Inter-Governmental Conference on a new Constitution for Europe was likely to take place at the European Council on December 12th and that it was vital for Ireland that the outcome served both Europe and its member states well.
He stressed that Ireland's EU presidency was now only five weeks away, and confirmed that economic strategy would be the top priority for the six months spell.
Mr Ahern has now visited the capitals of all member states as well as the 10 nations due to join the EU on May 1st, during Ireland's presidency.