Merkel Calls for Fundamental Review of European Mission

Germany's chancellor, Angela Merkel, yesterday called for a fundamental rethink of Europe's mission, saying its historic rationale of preserving peace after the second world war was no longer sufficient.

In her most significant speech on Europe since becoming chancellor last year, Mrs Merkel said the EU had to do more than just keep the peace. It needed to reconnect with its citizens, she said. "We must, and I am deeply convinced of this, critically review the state of the European project," she told Germany's Bundestag, the lower house of parliament.

"We need to put people at the centre and explain what Europe means for their jobs, prosperity, social security, healthcare and old age ... "I don't want to dramatise things, but I believe a new rationale is more necessary than ever."

Her comments come after a disastrous year for the EU, which celebrates its 50th anniversary next year. The bloc has been in crisis since France and the Netherlands rejected the constitution, a treaty aimed at streamlining decision-making following expansion. Growing scepticism towards expansion, particularly Turkey's membership, is seen as a main reason for the vetoes, which consigned the treaty to the deep freeze.

Yesterday the EU said it may withhold aid for Bulgaria and Romania, even if they join the bloc next year, because essential reforms have yet to be completed.

Mrs Merkel said reviving the constitution would be one of her main tasks. Germany takes over the presidency in the first half of 2007. But she said there was no quick fix. "We absolutely need the constitution to ensure the EU is effective and capable of action," she said. "I am against moving too quickly and putting us back in a situation where we can't move forward. We need to think about how we make the constitution a success."

Yesterday one commentator said Mrs Merkel was the only head of state capable of leading Europe out of its mess. "She realises there is not a snowball's chance in hell of saving the constitution," said Alan Posener in Welt am Sonntag. "But German politicians voted unanimously for the constitution and she doesn't see it as Germany's role to abandon it. That has to come from France."