BRUSSELS, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Italian prime minister and ex-president of the European Commission, Romano Prodi, said on Mondaythat the 25-nation European Union (EU) needs a new "simplified" constitution text and acceptable to citizens.

    "It is impossible to go ahead with exactly the same text," Prodi told reporters after his meeting with current Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.

    "We don't want to run a risk of a second No to the constitution," he explained, referring to the rejection of the charter by French voters exactly one year ago, with a Dutch No two days later.

    Instead, Europe should work on a new compromise, and "simplify the text so that it is acceptable to all member states," he added.

    "A new draft constitution has to be developed in a more corporate and optimistic atmosphere."

    Prodi said that Europe needs to focus on concrete projects suchas energy or education and prove that it works even without the constitutional treaty.

    He said choosing Brussels as his first overseas trip since taking office showed how seriously Rome takes its EU role.

    "Today is the day of the rebirth of Italy's pro-Europe policy,"he declared. "I came here to underline the importance of the EU toItaly."

    Prodi also met Italian EU Justice Commissioner Franco Frattini and EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana.

    He was also scheduled to hold talks with Luxembourg Premier Jean Claude Junker and Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstad. Enditem