Merkel mends fences

German Chancellor Angela Merkel took advantage of her trip to Poland last Friday to try to inject new life into efforts to agree upon a re-worked constitution for the European Union.

During her two-day visit, Merkel - who also holds the EU presidency - told students at Warsaw University that the 27-member block needed a new constitution by 2009.

"It is not only in Europe's interests, but also that of its member states and its citizens that the process leads to a positive result by the next European parliamentary elections in 2009," she said.

"The EU must ensure that its institutions function in an efficient, democratic and comprehensible manner for 27 or more countries," Merkel added. "Because of this, Europe needs the EU constitutional treaty."

President Lech Kaczyński and his brother, Prime Minister Jarosław Kaczyński, have often expressed strong doubts over the idea of reviving the constitutional project. President Kaczyński admitted that there were differences between him and Merkel on the issue.

"Poland has a different approach to this issue than the German side," Kaczyński told Rzeczpospolita, adding that it would constitute the main topic of their discussion and that he would look for an open exchange with Merkel.

The constitution is only one of a number of issues on which the countries differ, such as the planned US anti-missile base which could be stationed in Poland, and the German-Russian Baltic pipeline.

However, Merkel looked to set a conciliatory tone before she and her husband flew to the Baltic sea coast to spend some time with President Kaczyński and his wife - a move to help foster closer relations between the two leaders. "[We] want to get to know each other better on a personal basis, to have a comprehensive exchange," she said. (Reuters)