Brussels, 05/03/2004 (Agence Europe) - After his meeting with the President of the European Commission, on Thursday in Berlin, Chancellor Schröder declared that it is likely an agreement will be reached on the European Constitution under Irish Presidency but that "there is also resistance". Romano Prodi said "we have developed a strategy for helping the Irish Presidency by every means possible" in order to conclude the "constitutional process" (the day before, Bertie Ahern had warned, however, that, in their bilateral contacts, they are always making suggestions but one cannot say that those who have been called upon the most to make a move have in fact done so).
A press release from the German government notes that Mr Schröder informed Mr Prodi of his visit to Turkey, noting the "dynamism" shown by Ankara with regards practical compliance with the Copenhagen criteria. According to the press release, Mr Schröder said that Germany and the Commission agree to place research and the development of modern infrastructure at the heart of European economic policy. Mr Prodi also welcomed the introduction into Germany of "a major mechanism for transposing EU directives into German law more rapidly", the press release states.