BERLIN, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and French President Jacques Chirac made it clear Monday that theywill not water down their voting demands within an EU constitution.

    Speaking after their regular round of talks just outside Berlin,the two leaders said a constitution was desirable but stressed they would not back down over their demands for new voting rights.

    "The constitutional process must be successful," Schroeder saidat a news conference. "But not at any price."

    An EU summit in Brussels last December failed over the issue after Poland and Spain refused to give up some of their voting rights.

    France and Germany opposed changes in rules adopted in 2000 that gave them 27 to 29 votes each. But the two countries want thesystem altered to reflect their greater populations.

    The meeting, held in this village about 15 kilometers south of Berlin, was part of a series of regular get-togethers by German and French leaders.

    Schroeder is to meet Irish President Bertie Ahern, who currently holds the EU rotating presidency, later on Monday to explain the Franco-German position. Enditem