By Daisy Ayliffe - 24th November 2005
Germany’s new Chancellor insisted she would not give up on Europe’s constitutional treaty on Wednesday.
Touring EU capitals in her first full day in office, Merkel hoped to heal Europe’s ills by bringing a fresh approach to old divides.
"Europe needs the constitution… [we] should not give up the constitutional treaty,” she told reporters in Brussels on Wednesday evening.
“We may allow a pause for further consideration and second thoughts but we have made it very clear that we are willing to make our contribution to whatever is necessary to see the constitution come into force."
Stressing the need for a more constructive approach to solving Europe's common problems, Merkel’s arrival brings a new dynamic to Europe - although in concrete policy terms little will change.
As Britain awaits Merkel’s visit on Thursday, officials in London were eagerly reading between the lines to pick up on any change in tone.
Merkel’s remarks at the European Commission on Wednesday suggested the new chancellor will continue to support France ruling out a review of farm subsidies.
But the chancellor did give London partial reprieve when she indicated the UK budget rebate was not solely responsible for stalling EU budget negotiations.
“We can only find a solution if we take all outstanding questions and address them together,” she said.
“So of course is making our own position clear to partners,” she added.
British Prime Miniser Tony Blair will have welcomed Merkel’s support for liberal economic reforms in Europe.
She also insisted the EU needed to be able to agree measures like the services directive.
Merkel told the Brussels press pack that she shared the US view that Europe's security concerns should be debated within Nato rather than the EU.
"Nato should be the place where people turn first with member states to discuss political issues," she said.
She added that she would be pushing for closer ties with the US, but stressed she would stick to Germany's policy of keeping troops out of Iraq.
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