Brussels, 12/03/2004 (Agence Europe) - The President of the European Council, Bertie Ahern, following a meeting in Dublin on Thursday with Tony Blair, said he noted in colleagues increasing desire to find a reasonable solution to the European Constitution, warning that to achieve this, everyone would have to be flexible. The Taoiseach was visited by Valéry Giscard d'Estaing the same day. The latter told AFP that Europe was currently in a state of concern and disappointment and needs political success. The adoption of the Constitution could stimulate the confidence of European citizens in Europe's capacity to organise itself and its future. At the same time, he former Chairman of the Convention said the movement should not be hurried because it takes a degree of maturity to change views.
In Berlin on Thursday, following meetings with his Dutch counterpart Jan Peter Balkenende, Chancellor Schröder said he saw some chances of being able to adopt the Constitution under the Irish Presidency. The two heads of state focussed on the double majority voting system at Council, however. Asked about the potential for launching accession negotiations with Turkey at the end of 2004, Schröder said he thought it quite possible for Turkey to achieve this, but Balkenende was much more sceptical.