European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said today he was confident EU members would agree a new treaty next week to modernise the bloc's institutions.
Portugal, which holds the EU's rotating presidency and published a draft of the text on Friday, will host a summit of the bloc's leaders to approve the new treaty on October 18th.
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso
"I am still confident. I know there are still some problems, but I think these problems can be overcome," Mr Barroso said, referring to some pending demands by Poland.
Poland has demanded that the new treaty include a mechanism that allows countries just short of a blocking minority to delay EU decisions.
Asked about fears that Poland may block an agreement on the new treaty, Mr Barroso replied: "Europe has a lot to gain from Poland, but Poland also has a lot to gain from Europe, and I hope there will be no blockade from the Poles."
French and Dutch voters rejected a constitutional treaty for the EU, a precursor to the current treaty, in referendums in 2005. All 27 member states still have to ratify the treaty if a deal is reached in Lisbon.