"It would be possible, and in my view desirable, for national parliaments - at least for some - to launch the ratification procedures around the same times next Spring."

The commissioner adds that she believes this "would strengthen awareness of European issues and interest and promote a true European debate (...)."

The Reform Treaty is due to be politically finalised next week and formally signed off by EU leaders in December for ratification to take place throughout next year. If all goes to plan, the treaty is to come into force before the European elections in June 2009.

But the shadow of the failed EU constitution - rejected by French and Dutch voters in 2005 - still looms over the EU, particularly as the new treaty takes on many of its innovations.

Only Ireland will definitely have a referendum on the treaty - no date has been set yet. But Irish prime minister Bertie Ahern recently indicated it will take place in 2008 and possibly on the same day as another referendum on children's rights.

While most other countries are expected to opt for parliamentary ratification, the issue remains a hot topic in both Denmark and Britain.

UK prime minister Gordon Brown is under increasing pressure to hold a referendum, particularly since the European scrutiny committee of the House of Commons earlier this week released a report concluding that the two documents are "substantially equivalent."

The Labour government had previously indicated it would have a referendum on the constitution.

British papers are now speculating whether Mr Brown will stage a political fight at the summit next week to win brownie points at home. His language has become tougher ahead of the 18-19 October summit. On Thursday, he threatened a British veto if certain 'red lines' are crossed in the treaty text.

Meanwhile, in Denmark, talk about a possible referendum has also increased. The government has said it wants to make a decision only after the text has been finally agreed and on the basis of a recommendation of legal experts about whether there has been a transfer of sovereignty.

But the opposition social democrats and the Christian-Democrats (in government with the Liberals) threw that position into disarray by calling for more political discussion on whether there should be a referendum.

The first hurdle however, will be getting the treaty politically agreed next week.

EU politicians including commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso have expressed optimism that this will be achieved – despite the fact that several issues remain open, including a Polish request to legally secure a decision-blocking mechanism in the treaty.

For her part, Ms Wallstrom suggests that "nobody really wants to postpone the decision or create another crisis."