Poland ignores German calls to leave EU Constitution unchanged

German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has appealed to EU members to approve the contents of the EU Constitution without making any changes. "I am afraid that an attempt to change the document will have the consequences similar to that of opening Pandora's Box," he said. Poland is among the countries who have already submitted their amendments to the Constitution. Poland demands a strong position in the EU Council, as well banning any possibilities of creating military formations within the EU that would be in competition with NATO. Additionally, Poland wants each country to exercise the right to have its own commissioner in the European Commission. Meanwhile, the Czech Republic is arranging an informal meeting of EU ministers to discuss the future shape of the Constitution. Some 18 countries have been invited. Yesterday, Prime Minister Leszek Miller discussed the issue with Schroeder on the phone. They will meet at the next gathering of the Vysehrad Group. (Rzeczpospolita, p. A1) A.Z.