European Union foreign ministers are optimistic that a summit this week will clinch a deal on a long-awaited treaty to reform EU institutions.
As the EU's 27 ministers began meeting in Luxembourg today, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said many states had moved their position since the start of the year.
"I am glad about that, and so I am also confident that we'll get agreement during this week," Mr Steinmeier said.
Since EU leaders struck a deal on the political mandate in June, work on the treaty text is all but complete with only a few minor issues outstanding involving Poland, Italy and Bulgaria.
None is considered serious enough to prevent EU leaders finalising the treaty in Lisbon on Friday, or signing in December.
The treaty provides for a long-term president of the EU from 2009; a more powerful foreign policy chief; a simpler, more democratic decision-making system; and more power for the European and national parliaments.
It replaces an earlier failed attempt to create an EU constitution. A deal was brokered by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in 2004, but the Dutch and French rejected the plan in referendums.
Ireland is the only member state that must hold a referendum, and there are signs that the proposition to be put to the people could prove contentious.
The Government looks set to opt out of some the security provisions, and the Greens, who have opposed expanding EU powers in the past, have not decided their position.
The party's European Affairs spokeswoman, Senator Deirdre de Burca, told a meeting of European Greens in Vienna last Friday that the treaty contained "positives and negatives".
A referendum is likely next May or June.
The British are also set to opt out of the security provisions, arguing that their legal system is significantly different from those in other members states other than Ireland.
If Prime Minister Gordon Brown were to call a referendum, the British would likely reject the treaty. However this is seen as unlikely and ratification is expected in time to take effect in 2009.
Additional reporting Reuters