EU treaty hopes 'fading'

Jack Straw admitted today that hopes were fading of securing a deal on the new EU constitution next month.

The downbeat assessment came as the Foreign Secretary began a second day trying with his European counterparts to negotiate an agreement on the proposed treaty.

Mr Straw said there were still many unresolved concerns. Agreement might not be reached by 17 June, when heads of state are supposed to sign off the constitution in Brussels.

"We cannot agree unless all 25 countries around the table agree," he said. "I think we will get agreement but I cannot be certain."

The Foreign Secretary's comments came after France and Germany rounded on him yesterday, accusing Britain of using "salami tactics" by adding more and more demands before it would sign.

But Mr Straw today repeated his promised not to do so unless Britain's "key red lines" are met. He also made clear Britain is not the only country to voice objections.

He said a voting rights row at last December's failed EU meeting had "obscured" other sticking-points.

"A number of other member states had other concerns and they were left unresolved," he said. As a result many states were now also "weighing in" with demands.