The president of the European Commission says he does not expect the European Union to adopt a constitution for at least two or three years.
But Jose Manuel Barroso told a news conference in Brussels the fact that there is no European constitution in the immediate future does not mean paralysis in the bloc. Mr. Barroso, who presides over the top EU executive body, says the European Union can move ahead under existing treaties and agreements.
EU leaders put the constitution on hold after voters in France and the Netherlands rejected the proposed document earlier this year. The constitution was designed to stream-line EU decision-making and strengthen its institutions. But to take effect it needs ratification by all 25 EU member states.
Some information for this report provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.