Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, in a sharp rebuke to European Commission President Romano Prodi, on Sunday firmly rejected the idea of a two-speed approach to European Union integration.
Speaking just days after Ireland took over the six-month rotating presidency of the European Union, Ahern described the suggestion that some countries could integrate at a faster pace than others as "not helpful".
Prodi said last week that Europe might end up operating at two speeds if stalled negotiations on a new EU charter, needed to ensure the bloc can cope when it expands eastwards this year May, are not resolved quickly.
"Prodi has been talking about this for years and I have never stopped reminding him that I don't believe it's a good idea. I'm not going to stop now," Ahern told state-owned RTE radio.
He said he would leave Prodi in no doubt of his opposition when the two meet in Dublin this week to discuss Ireland's agenda for its presidency.