Brussels, 20/04/2006 (Agence Europe) - According to the Estonian Review (12-18 April issue), Estonian Social Democrat Hendrik Ilves, vice president of the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee warned against the danger of the EU setting up a “core” of European countries going forward alone if the impasse on the European Constitution is not overcome. Ilves explained that, “The core is perceived as an efficiently functioning Europe with a harmonised taxation and social policy. The sceptical Brits, refractory Danes, budget-conservative Swedes and new Member States with their altogether different troubles would remain on the outside”. Mr Ilves was afraid of the emergence of a “United States of Europe based on the euro zone”, which would be a “nightmare”. The MEP affirmed that “the first political summit of the euro zone countries has already been called for next spring”. He warned that, “The hope that countries which are not part of the euro zone could in some way veto the core's political discussions is deceptive”. According to Mr Ilves, Estonia, in these circumstances would have two alternatives; swift accession to the euro zone or take the initiative on the Constitutional Treaty (EUROPE 9157 on the Estonian Parliament's intention to ratify the treaty in May). Pointing out that Angela Merkel had “already put forward the idea of a 'basic treaty for Europe”, which might dispel fears that the concept of the constitution goes too far”, Ilves explained that, “it is unreasonable to hope the inner paralysis of the EU will be tolerated long and nothing will be done”.