Merkel in Warsaw to discuss EU constitution

The visit, which will have a rare informal atmosphere Merkel earlier reserved for talks with George W. Bush and Tony Blair, is interpreted in Germany as an expression of Merkel's confidence in the Polish government's ability to cooperate constructively on bilateral and EU issues. "If the supporters of a pragmatic policy towards Germany and the EU within the Polish government - of which there are many - prevail, Poland could yet cast off the label of the major brake on EU reform," says a German diplomat. Although chancellor Merkel is expected to have a tough time persuading President Kaczynski, the Germans took heart from what they saw as positive signals sent by the Kaczynski brother during two recent visits to Germany. (Gazeta Wyborcza, S. 14)