BERLIN, March 24 (Xinhua) -- German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier warned Saturday that the European Union (EU) must work harder to live up to people's expectations.

    "We all know that despite the success of European policies, people's confidence in the EU has dwindled in recent years," said Steinmeier in an article published at the EU Presidency website.

    "That is why one of the central goals of our Presidency was from the very outset to ensure acceptance of Europe increases once more."

    The article was published against the backdrop of a series of celebrations in Berlin for the 50th birthday of the EU.

    Germany is holding the rotating EU presidency.

    The EU has to prove that it is able to tackle external and internal challenges of the 21st century, said Steinmeier.

    Among the challenges facing the EU, he singled out climate change, energy, a common European foreign policy, and fight against terrorism and crimes.

    Stressing the importance of the EU, he said, "There is one message to the people which to me seems particularly important. The EU is essential in today's world if we want to preserve our European way of life and social model."

    Steinmeier, meanwhile, touted the achievements of the EU in the past 50 years.

    "Peace, prosperity and stability in Europe are amongst the central achievements of European unification -- and the people have reaped the benefits," he said.