ATTEMPTS to involve the European Parliament in the deliberations of the EU's treaty changing Inter Governmental Conference are still deadlocked before this weekend's Foreign Ministers meeting here. The ministers also face the challenge of forging a common position on the Middle East peace process after acrimonious exchanges over the last two days about Iran.
France and Britain, both deeply suspicious of the parliament, have been blocking moves to allow representatives of MEPs to attend the conference's negotiating sessions on the future shape of the EU. They argue that only member states' involvement is provided for in the European Treaty - the parliament's role is confined to an "opinion".
Most member states, including Ireland, are more sympathetic to observer status for the parliament and point to the successful representation of MEPs on the Reflection Group which prepared the IGC's agenda. They fear blocking some form of representation may result in MEPs flexing their muscles by trying to delay the opening of the IGC in Turin later this month.
The Italian presidency is seeking a compromise based on what one diplomat described as constructive ambiguity".
But the Italian Foreign Minister, Ms Susanna Agnelli, did not make her task of chairing the informal session easier by publicly reproaching France on Thursday for its unilateral decision to censure Iran over alleged support for Hamas bombings in Israel.
Iran has distanced itself from radio reports of approval for the bombings and most EU states are unwilling to follow the US down the road of further sanctions. But the debate will be a real test of whether the EU, still smarting from US claims that it slept through the Aegean crisis, can forge a meaningful common position on the Middle East peace process at a critical time.
Ministers are likely to debate the US decision to force foreign companies which trade in the US to join its economic blockade of Cuba. The Commission has warned the US it will take it to the World Trade Organisation's disputes procedure if it enforces its new legislation.
The Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Spring, stopped off for talks with the Maltese Foreign Minister, Prof Guido de Marco.
Malta, which has been promised that its EU accession talks will begin next year, six months after the Inter Governmental Conference concludes, has been lobbying hard to ensure its accession is not delayed by failure to reach agreement on Cyprus, whose timescale is the same.
Those fears have been compounded by the recent dispute between Greece and Turkey.
Maltese diplomats are only too aware that member states are unlikely to want to see a string of separate accessions, but argue that the straightforward Maltese case should stand on its own merits.
The island state shares many of its concerns for the IGC with Ireland including a commitment to military neutrality - and Prof de Marco will also press Malta's case to hosting the follow up to the Barcelona Mediterranean conference.
