On the second day of their meeting in Brussels EU leaders have agreed to push forward an agenda to improve Europe's economy and to create more jobs in research and innovation.
At the first summit of the Irish EU presidency and the last before ten new members join in May, the Taoiseach admitted Europe was behind in its target of becoming the most dynamic economy in the world by the end of the decade.
EU leaders would prefer to see a united Cyprus
European Union leaders have said they would prefer to see Cyprus join the enlarged EU in May as a united country.
At its summit meeting in Brussels, the European Council said it was ready to accommodate the terms of a settlement for the partitioned country in line with EU founding principles.
Last night at the summit, EU leaders agreed a range of security measures, including the naming of an anti-terrorism co-ordinator.
The Taoiseach and President of the Council of Ministers, Bertie Ahern, is confident that progress can be also made on agreeing a new EU constitution.
Although the summit has been overshadowed by the attacks on Madrid, EU leaders have managed to present a united front and make progress on a new EU constitution.
Package of terrorism measures agreed
There is a package of new measures on terrorism, including a new solidarity agreement, where member states will come to the aid of another in the event of an attack.
However, some of the items announced were plans that were already agreed after the 11 September attacks, but had yet to be implemented. The measures include a new European arrest warrant, closer judicial co-operation and joint investigations into terrorist crimes.
Other moves were already in the pipeline and are simply being brought forward, such as the new EU border agency and plans to cut the funding of terrorist organisations.
On the new constitution, Mr Ahern said the will was there to reach agreement in June, and that it is now a question of timing.
Mr Ahern said he would prefer an intergovernmental conference before the European elections on 11 June, but if that is not possible - then they will agree as many measures as they can before then and set a up a summit for final closure, one week later.
