The President of the European Commission has said there is no prospect of the European Constitution being ratified in the next three years.
Jose Manuel Barroso said EU leaders should concentrate on getting business done under the existing treaties.
Mr Barroso's comments marked one of the most blunt admissions yet by a top EU official that there is no hope of seeing an EU Constitution soon.
EU leaders in June called for a 'period of reflection' about the future of Europe after a proposed first-ever EU Constitution was rejected in referendums in France and the Netherlands.
They are due to meet informally in Britain next month to discuss developments, although the British EU presidency has played down hopes of any deep discussion of the issue.
