LUXEMBOURG - European Union foreign ministers voiced confidence on Monday that a summit this week will clinch a deal on a long-awaited treaty to reform EU institutions despite remaining snags involving Poland and Italy.
The treaty is designed to give the enlarged, 27-nation bloc stronger leadership, a more effective foreign policy and more democratic decision-making, replacing the EU constitution rejected by French and Dutch voters in 2005.
"There is no reason at all why we should not be confident that at the end of this week we will have an agreement," Manuel Lobo Antunes, secretary of state for European affairs of EU president Portugal, told a news conference after ministers discussed the final draft.
Since EU leaders struck a deal on a detailed political mandate in June, lawyers, linguists and diplomats have been working in the shadows to turn it into a treaty text.
That work is now complete and only a handful of minor issues remain involving Poland, Italy and Bulgaria. None is considered serious enough to prevent EU leaders finalising the treaty in Lisbon on Friday, or signing in December.
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said: "I am also confident that we'll get agreement during this week."
Like the defunct constitution, the treaty provides for a long-term president of the EU from 2009, a more powerful foreign policy chief, a simpler, more democratic decision-making system and more power for the European and national parliaments.
Given continent-wide fatigue after a decade of wrangling over European institutions, the desire to reach the finishing line and avoid new ratification problems is widespread.
Only Ireland is bound to hold a referendum, although there is strong pressure from Eurosceptics on British Prime Minister Gordon Brown to call a vote, which he would likely lose. Barring such an accident, the treaty would take effect in 2009.
REARGUARD BATTLE
