LONDON -- A new treaty is being born in Europe, and it looks as though the birth will be a difficult one.
In theory, the subject matter of this new treaty ought to be straightforward. More states are being invited to join the European Union -- five immediately and up to 10 thereafter -- and the existing member states want to rearrange the institutional furniture of the union before they welcome in the new guests.
Ministers from all 15 member states are therefore assembling at Nice, on the French Riviera, to prepare a treaty document -- likely to be named the Treaty of Nice and in effect a series of amendments to the existing treaties that govern the Union -- which will enlarge the European Commission, adjust the membership of the European Parliament and, above all, streamline the ways in which the Council of Ministers, the central force in the Union, reaches decisions.