Constitution 'key for EU success'

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has warned Europe it faces an "historic failure" if it does not revive the deadlocked European constitution.

Setting out her plans for Germany's presidency of the EU, she said the bloc should agree on a new charter before the 2009 European elections.

She said the EU was a success story, embodying the continent's values of freedom, variety and tolerance. She also set out an ambitious programme for the next six months.

It included progress on energy security and climate change, a global trade deal, a new partnership agreement with Russia, and greater peace efforts for the Middle East.

Mrs Merkel, in contrast with the line taken by the previous German government, told MEPs that closer co-operation with the US, including freer trade, was "in the highest interests of Europe".

She vowed to press the US to join a post-Kyoto Protocol climate change agreement. She said Europe must "accelerate the peace process" in the Middle East, must be united in its approach to Iran's nuclear programme, and must work for peaceful development in Afghanistan.

She also said it was "worthwhile and clever to invest in Africa, not just economically but politically", and promised to prepare the ground for an EU-African summit.

This greater coherence in EU foreign policy, she said, demanded that the EU had its own foreign minister. The proposal for a foreign minister was part of the draft EU constitution which was rejected by French and Dutch voters 18 months ago. The constitution was also supposed to simplify working arrangements and decision-making.

Supporters of structural reform say it is the only way to keep the EU functioning after its enlargement from 15 to 27 members in the past few years. "The reflection pause is over. By June, we must reach a decision on what to do with the constitution," the German chancellor told MEPs.

"It is in the interest of Europe, its member states and its citizens, to bring this process to a successful conclusion by the next European Parliament elections in early 2009." Germany's leadership has been keenly awaited by pro-Europeans, who hope it can inject new momentum into the EU, correspondents say.

In March, EU leaders will mark the European Union's 50th birthday with a Berlin declaration on its fundamental values and aims - but do not expect a big fanfare, says our correspondent.

That is not Mrs Merkel's style, and the EU is not in much of a party mood.

BBC