The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, who is visiting the Maltese capital, Valletta, has said he is confident that the proposed EU Constitution will be ratified if agreement is reached on the basis of compromise and mutual respect.
Speaking to journalists after meeting the Maltese Prime Minister, Dr Lawrence Gonzi, Mr Ahern rejected suggestions that the treaty could enter into force if ratified by 20 of the 25 member states.
Mr Ahern said the consensus was that treaty changes should continue to be made with unanimous ratification, but that if one or more states had difficulties with ratification, the European Council would then have to consider the situation.
