Merkel Calls for EU Constitution by 2009

German Chancellor Angela Merkel delivers her speech at the European Assembly in Strasbourg, eastern France, Wednesday Jan. 17, 2007. Merkel says she wants negotiations on a new partnership agreement with Russia to begin during her country's EU presidency. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) (Francois Mori - AP)

STRASBOURG, France -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday outlined an ambitious program for her country's European Union presidency, saying the bloc must set a timetable for adopting an EU constitution. Merkel told EU lawmakers during her first appearance at the EU assembly that a decision on what to do with the constitution must be reached by June. The constitution was ratified by 18 states but rejected in Dutch and French referendums in 2005.

Merkel said she would consult all 27 EU nations to hear their reservations about the landmark charter and to determine which parts can be rescued to form the basis of a new document.

Germany wants to save as much as possible of the draft text, which was designed to accelerate policy-making and give the EU, now with 489 million people, more visibility on the world stage by creating the posts of EU president and foreign minister.

"We need a foreign minister for Europe. That's enough of a reason to adopt a constitutional treaty," Merkel told the European Parliament, earning a standing ovation. "We must give a soul to Europe; we have to find Europe's soul. Any failure could be a historic failure."

Merkel also said that completing global trade talks would be one of the priorities of Germany's six-month presidency, urging Europe to take a "resolute stand" to achieve a successful outcome.

She called for a broad partnership with Russia, but warned that the EU cannot ignore Russia's squabbles with neighboring countries. She called Russia's recent decision to cut oil exports in a dispute with neighboring Belarus worrying.

"We intend to do everything we can for a new partnership and cooperation agreement with Russia to begin under the German presidency," she said. "We need reliable partnership with Russia."

A dispute between Russia and Poland over a pipeline carrying Russian gas to Europe is holding up negotiations on a new EU-Russia accord. The issue is sensitive amid concerns in many EU nations that they are becoming too dependent on Moscow for oil and gas.

Addressing EU lawmakers two days after a new far-right group was established in the legislature, Merkel warned that tolerance is under threat and that EU countries must demonstrate solidarity with one another in order to coexist.

"Europe cannot tolerate intolerance, violence from the far right, far left, violence inspired by religion," she said.

Merkel gave no details on how to achieve the goals she outlined. She gave no hints about whether she would push for a cut in EU farm spending, which diplomats say is key to any global trade deal.