Constitutional Troubles
October 11, 2006
"I am firmly convinced we need a constitution," said Merkel after talks with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso about Germany's program for the EU presidency, which Berlin will hold during the first half of 2007.
"Within our presidency, we'll certainly not be able to resolve the constitutional issue in all its aspects. But we'll aim to bring about fresh awareness among the member countries that we need a European constitution," Merkel said.
The EU's draft constitution was last year rejected by voters in both France and the Netherlands. This torpedoed the project given that all 25 EU members must approve the treaty for it to enter into force.
While supporting Germany's ambitious plans to create fresh enthusiasm about a European Constitution, Barroso told reporters in Berlin later on Wednesday that it would be an uphill battle to convince citizens of the need for such a treaty.
He cautioned that hopes for the presidency under Germany -- the EU's biggest economy -- should not be exaggerated.
"There are great expectations about the German presidency but it is not fair to put all the weight and burden on Germany," Barroso said.
A constitution worthy of its name
Dutch leaders have called for the proposed document to be radically reduced in scope and for removal of the name "constitution." France, on the other hand, is not expected to make any new moves on the constitution until after French presidential elections in May 2007.
Merkel admitted that Germany would therefore not be able to clinch any final constitutional deal during its EU presidency which ends on June 30, 2007. Instead, Merkel said Berlin would seek to hammer out a "roadmap" for further moves on the treaty.
"We'll need the treaty before the next European elections (2009)," Merkel said. "And we'll get down to it ambitiously."
The German leader, however, rejected Dutch calls for a stripped-down text.
"It must be something which deserves the name "constitution" and not merely an institutional set of rules," Merkel said.
Social issues in a globalized world
Merkel said she wanted to make sure that future EU guidelines and regulations are better checked with a view to their social impact on ordinary citizens. While technological progress and competitiveness were of pivotal importance, the German chancellor said it was equally essential to reduce unemployment and safeguard the social achievements of citizens under the conditions of a globalized world.
Outlining the priorities of the German presidency, Merkel also mentioned foreign policy issues that Germany would like to see addressed with fresh vigor.
"On the foreign policy front, we Europeans will certainly have to make a fresh contribution towards the Middle East peace process," Merkel said.
"I'm thinking in particular about the EU's commitment to the roadmap for peace
supported by the bloc together with the United Nations, the United States and Russia," she said.
The EU will hold summits with the United States, Russia, Japan and Canada during the first half of 2007. Merkel also said she would work on planning an EU-Africa summit to be held after the German presidency.
The German EU presidency will also hold a special summit in Berlin on March 25, 2007 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome which created the bloc.