European Commission President Romano Prodi has said that a two speed Europe may be necessary if no deal is reached on the EU’s constitution.

In an interview with Spanish daily El Pais, Mr Prodi said that if there is no agreement by the end of the year, a core group of countries pressing for closer integration could leave the rest behind.

No deal by the end of the year "would open the door to a two-speed project, which would not be the first choice".

"It may become necessary because the institutions cannot remain frozen", Mr Prodi told the paper.

Mr Prodi’s comments come as EU-members continue to pick up the pieces of failed Constitution negotiations.

In December a meeting in Brussels resulted in deadlock with a resolute Spain and Poland holding out for more voting weight in Council decisions against Germany and France.

Since then, the Irish have had the job of putting the talks back together, but in the background France and Germany have upped the stakes, hinting that a core block could be formed.

Fears of such a core group were raised last week when Germany, France and the UK met in Berlin. Spain and Italy, particularly, viewed the grouping as a directoire of Europe.

But the EU has several examples of such cooperation.

The majority, but not all EU members, have adopted the euro and opted to work together more closely on monetary policy, Justice and home Affairs and defence.

Even so the Commission is struggling to make its message heard.

"We are experiencing a period when there does not seem to be a clear will to work together", said Mr Prodi.

euobserver.com