German Chancellor Angela Merkel (center
front) and other EU leaders pose for a group photo in front of
the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Sunday March 25, 2007. European Union
leaders signed the Berlin Declaration on Sunday aimed at breaking the
deadlock and re-launching debate over how to renew the EU's political rule
book. (Xinhua/AFP Photo) Photo
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BERLIN, March 25 (Xinhua) -- The Berlin Declaration,
signed on Sunday on the occasion of the 50th birthday of the European Union
(EU), avoided mentioning the EU constitution.
"We are united in our aim of placing the European
Union on a renewed common basis before the European Parliament elections in
2009," reads the declaration.
The absence of the term "EU constitution" is
obviously a result of objection from some member states, particularly the Czech
Republic.
Prague has vehemently opposed a deadline for the
revival of the constitution by 2009 when it will hold the rotating EU
presidency.
The constitution was vetoed in France and the
Netherlands in the summer of 2005, putting the EU member states in reflection
until June 2007.
Although Germany, which currently holds the EU
presidency, is eager to revive the constitution, consensus is lacking among
member states.
The words "renewed common basis" will allow skeptics
to interpret the issue in their own way.
The Berlin Declaration was signed by only three
persons -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel, European Commission President Jose
Manuel Barroso and President of the European Parliament Hans-Gert Poettering --
although all heads of state and government from the 27 member states were
available.
German officials have explained that the declaration
does not need the signature of all the leaders, but Czech President Vaclav Klaus
had said he would not sign anything that he did not agree to.
The two-page declaration consists of three parts with
a preamble focusing on European unification.
"We, the citizens of the European Union, have united
for the better," reads the document.
"Thanks to the yearning for freedom of the peoples of
Central and Eastern Europe the unnatural division of Europe is now consigned to
the past. European integration shows that we have learnt the painful lessons of
a history marked by bloody conflict. Today we live together as was never
possible before," it says.
The first part is devoted to Europe's common values,
such as freedom, democracy, and respect for human dignity and gender equality.
"We are striving for peace and freedom, for democracy
and the rule of law, for mutual respect and shared responsibility, for
prosperity and security, for tolerance and participation, for justice and
solidarity," it says.
The second part of the document talks about the
challenges the union is facing, including terrorism, illegal immigration, racism
and xenophobia.
"We will fight terrorism, organized crime and illegal
immigration together. We stand up for liberties and civil rights also in the
struggle against those who oppose them. Racism and xenophobia must never again
be given any rein," the declaration reads.
It also vows to take a lead in energy policy and
climate protection.
The last part looks to the future, stressing the need
for a "renewed common basis" by 2009.
Picture shows the "Berlin Declaration"
following a signing ceremony during a summit at the German Historical
Museum in Berlin March 25, 2007.(Xinhua/AFP Photo) Photo
Gallery>>>
BERLIN, March 25 (Xinhua) -- The Berlin Declaration
was signed on Sunday on the occasion of the 50th birthday of the European Union.
The two-page document was signed by German Chancellor
Angela Merkel, Jose Manuel Barroso and Hans-Gert Pottering, representing the EU
presidency, the European Commission and the European Parliament respectively. Full text
BERLIN, March 25 (Xinhua)
-- Leaders of the European Union, celebrating the 50th birthday of the union,
signed a declaration here on Sunday, vowing to achieve "a renewed common basis"
by 2009. Full text
BERLIN, March 25 (Xinhua) -- German Chancellor Angela
Merkel, whose country holds the rotating EU presidency, said on Sunday that the
European Union members need to work even more closely to overcome the future
challenges 50 years after the bloc was founded. Full text
MOSCOW, March 25 (Xinhua) -- Russian President
Vladimir Putin vowed to develop the strategic partnership with the European
Union (EU) in an article published on Sunday, which marks the 50th anniversary
of the EU. Full text
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