Constitution 'proves EU can work together': Ahern
The historic agreement on a new European Constitution has proved an enlarged EU can work together, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said today.
Mr Ahern joined other EU heads of state in Rome to sign the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe in the same room that the six original member states signed the Treaty of Rome in 1957.
The Taoiseach was invited to speak at the signing ceremony because of his personal role in the negotiations on the European Constitution during Ireland’s Presidency of the EU in the first half of 2004.
Mr Ahern told the other leaders agreement on the text of the European Constitution showed an enlarged EU of 25 member states could take difficult decisions.
“Enlargement is an inspiration for the EU. It has provided and will provide the impetus for closer, deeper and more effective cooperation between us,” he said.
“The first great challenge we faced together was the completion of the negotiations on the Constitution. As 25, we needed within a few weeks of May 1 to resolve very difficult issues.
“The negotiations on the Constitution challenged the credibility of the Union. We had committed ourselves to reaching agreement. Nobody expected this to be simple, during what was a testing time internally and externally. Once again Europe proved that it could function effectively.
"The agreement on the Constitution provides convincing and irrefutable evidence that the EU of 25 can take important decisions for the future of our people.”
The Taoiseach also said that the Constitution was a common success for the EU.
“The Constitution is a truly European Constitution to which all member States, new and old, large and small, contributed on an equal basis,” he said.
“It is not a victory for any one member State. It is instead our collective achievement and our common success.”
The Taoiseach called for the ratification of the European Constitution by the 25 EU member States.
“It is of fundamental importance that all 25 Member States now ratify the European Constitution convincingly and on time,” he said.
“The process of ratification will not be easy, but, with energy and determination, it can and will be successful. The Constitution equips the growing Union to function effectively and efficiently into the future. Our citizens expect the Union to live up to their ambitions.
“We all of us must ensure that our common institutions are effective and that we can deliver results which improve the daily lives of our citizens,” he added.
