Prague, 16/01/2009 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission admitted on Friday 17 January that it was still not in a position to propose the launch of enhanced cooperation in cross-border divorces, given the opposition from 11 member states. “Conditions are still not ripe for the launch of enhanced cooperation,” said Justice Commissioner Jacques Barrot, following an informal meeting of EU justice ministers in Prague. “10 member states support enhanced cooperation and 11 oppose it,” he added. France, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Austria, Spain, Italy, Slovenia, Luxembourg and Greece have lodged a formal request with the Commission that it bring forward a proposal to circumvent Swedish refusal to adopt the regulation on divorce, known as Rome III (see EUROPE 9667). At the Council meeting, Barrot noted that this group of countries did not form the “critical mass” needed for the Commission to take things forward. A group of member states, made up of Germany, Portugal, Ireland, Finland, the Netherlands, Slovakia, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, the United Kingdom and Malta, refuses to risk following the others, for fear of creating a two-speed Europe. “The 'no' camp was stronger in this meeting, largely because Germany hardened its stance,” said a diplomat. Enhanced cooperation “is not the right way forward,” said German Justice Minister Brigitte Zypries. “It will result in a divided Europe, and that cannot be our aim,” she added. The Czech Republic is one of the countries, along with Belgium and Cyprus, awaiting the possible Commission proposal before deciding which way to go. “We will respond to the demand for enhanced cooperation before the end of our term of office,” Barrot said. He added that he would respond “within a reasonable timeframe,” stating that the response would “perhaps” come before the end of the Czech Presidency. (B.C./transl.rt)