KEY differences between large and small EU states came sharply into the open yesterday as foreign ministers again grappled with proposed changes in the balance of forces in the Union's institutions.
Always set to be the crunch issue in the Inter Governmental Conference, the divisions over the size and shape of the Commission spilled over into a discussion of rebalancing voting rights in the Council of Ministers in favour of the larger countries.
Ministers from the smaller states repeatedly and robustly challenged the contention that a new balance was even required.
The Austrian Minister, Mr Wolfgang Schussel, told colleagues it appeared that the real problem was not the under representation of the large countries' population but of their commercial interests - a swipe at France's stonewalling on the China human rights vote.
The Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Spring, said that there was now a possibility that no changes in voting weights would be agreed before enlargement actually took place. But diplomats were still predicting the possibility of a deal at Amsterdam in June, in which the larger states would trade their right to a second commissioner for a new weighting of votes among ministers.
In the debate on employment and the social provisions of the treaty, an emerging consensus has become clear on the text proposed by the Irish in their December draft. This provides for an employment chapter which would allow for regular reporting and co ordination of job creation measures by the member states.
Reuter adds from Bonn: Germany and France, the motors of Europe's integration drive, are seeking ways to improve their own policy co ordination to present a more united front in foreign affairs, a spokesman said yesterday.
The two countries have worked out proposals for closer consultation on the main issues, joint trips abroad by their foreign ministers, and more personnel swaps between German and French ministries, the Foreign Ministry spokesman, Mr Martin Erdmann, said.