Italië en Luxemburg zijn tegen een Europa van meerdere snelheden (en)

In the weeks following the failed Brussels EU Summit (12-13 December) the debate about the possible creation of a core Europe or a Europe of the six founding countries goes on.

The Spanish Prime Minister José Maria Aznar, whose country together with Poland was blamed for blocking the deal on the EU Constitution at a recent summit, has robustly attacked France for revisiting the 'core Europe' idea.

Referring to the strong Spanish economic growth in contrast with the low French performance, Mr Aznar is quoted by Financial Times saying: "I would add the two speeds of a Europe that is growing and a Europe that is not growing".

Poland also opposes the idea which it sees as a threat. Warsaw thinks it risks being marginalised in the EU before it has even joined.

The 'core Europe' is seen by some as an alternative for European integration in the absence of a Constitution.

But not all the EU founders are hurrying into the project.

Juncker: two speed Europe is not a goal in itself

In an interview with the Belgian daily "La Libre Belgique", the Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Jean-Claude Juncker said that the idea of a core Europe is maybe "premature".

He said that a two speed Europe "is not a goal in itself" and added that he regretted that the founding members gave the impression of wanting to go further at any price.

He however admitted that "more Europe" is necessary on a number of issues where the European integration has not succeed yet, but Luxembourg still wants to take full advantage of the Nice Treaty before establishing any enhanced co-operation.

Also Italy, another of the six founding EU countries, is reluctant towards the core-Europe ideas.

Quoted by the Parisian daily Les Echos, Italian foreign minister Franco Frattini said: "I think, it would not be in the spirit of the founding countries, to set up an axis of six countries, which would be seen by the rest as cutting Europe into two parts".

A Constitution - when?

The EU will continue to work on the basis of the Nice Treaty until, ideally the Constitution is adopted.

José Maria Aznar has indicated his country is open to fresh negotiations.

"I hope and believe that an agreement is possible before the end of 2004," Mr Aznar told Corriere della Sera on Sunday. He added that Spain is flexible but "if we're told to take it or leave it, then a deal will become difficult".

The German Chancellor, Gerhard Schröder indicated during this weekend that he would put pressure on Ireland to announce a deadline for an agreement during Irish EU Presidency, starting on 1 January 2004.

"I expect that the EU constitution will be unanimously agreed in the next year," said Mr Schröder in an interview, though "not in the first quarter".

In the mean time, the architect of Europe's draft constitution, Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, has urged member states to take their time in trying to restart the stalled talks.

"A good time would be the end of 2004 or the beginning of 2005," he said. "A hasty movement will only reinforce the antagonism".