Leaders seek accord for debate on future of EU

European Union leaders sought last night to agree a joint declaration launching a two-year debate about Europe's future.

Over dinner at the Belgian royal palace in Laeken, outside Brussels, the leaders also attempted to choose a president for a European convention that will prepare the ground for a new treaty-making conference in 2004.

Belgium's Prime Minister, Mr Guy Verhofstadt, gave the leaders a draft declaration before they went to dinner.

The document describes the EU as a success story and says that, with eastern enlargement looming, the union is at a crossroads.

"At long last, Europe is on its way to becoming one big family, without bloodshed, a real transformation clearly calling for a different approach from 50 years ago," it says.

The document identifies a gap between European citizens and EU institutions, which are perceived as too unwieldy and rigid.

"Many also feel that the union should involve itself more with their particular concerns instead of intervening in every detail in matters by their nature better left to member states' and regions' elected representatives. This is even perceived by some as a threat to their identity.

"More importantly, however, they feel that deals are all too often cut out of their sight, and want better democratic scrutiny," it says.

The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, declined to comment on the draft document before last night's discussion.

He said the questions to be discussed were similar to those being considered by the Forum on Europe.

Among the most controversial elements of the declaration is the phrasing of questions to be considered by the convention.

Some member states fear that, by framing questions in a particular way, the declaration could presuppose a certain conclusion.

Among the issues to be discussed by the convention is the possibility of a written constitution for Europe, a proposal that the Government regards with suspicion.

As the leaders met last night, rumours swirled around Laeken concerning the identity of the president of the convention.

Four names have been mentioned officially: the former French prime minister, Mr ValΘry Giscard d'Estaing, the former president of the European Commission, Mr Jacques Delors, the former prime minister of Italy, Mr Giuliano Amato and the former Finnish president, Mr Martti Ahtisaari.

Germany has promised France that it will back Mr Giscard d'Estaing but some other member states believe that none of the candidates is satisfactory.

These states have sought to persuade the Dutch Prime Minister, Mr Wim Kok, to take the job but he has stated that he is not available.

Some Dutch observers suggest that Mr Kok could be open to persuasion but only if he is allowed to remain Prime Minister for the first few months of the convention.

Luxembourg's Prime Minister, Mr Jean-Claude Juncker, has been mentioned as an outside contender.

He speaks both French and German and is widely respected among his peers.

The Taoiseach said last night that Mr Kok was his choice but that he felt certain the Dutch Prime Minister was not available.