In return the accord provides for specific steps by the Palestinians to fight terrorism and formally amend its charter to expunge clauses calling for Israel's destruction.

But he gave no indication that the Kabul Government was formally amending its coalition proposal, under which opposition figures would be relegated to secondary posts in the Government.

Shortly after the ceremony, at 10.30 am, the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern signed the declaration formally amending Articles 2 & 3 of the Irish Constitution.

This year the deputies are expected to formally amend the Constitution to include a measure that protects private property, the first time nonpublic assets have been explicitly guaranteed.

And both Washington and the British Government have said they will veto any attempt to formally amend the treaty to ban all nuclear tests, a right that Washington, London and Moscow are accorded under the agreement.

The Commission will not formally amend this proposal.

However, the Commission will defend the spirit of a number of these amendments in the Council deliberations without formally amending its proposal.

The Commission will defend the spirit of these amendments in the Council deliberations, without formally amending its proposal, as these provisions seem to be already reflected in the compromise text.

And, before the Treaty of Amsterdam enters into force, the Commission will formally amend its guidelines on legislative policy.

An exception to this are so-called passerelle clauses in which the legislative procedure used for a certain policy area can be changed without formally amending the treaties.