Commission pushing for progress on constitution

The European Commission is insisting that a declaration being prepared to mark the 50th anniversary of the European Union should include a clear reference to the need to untangle the issue of the future of the EU constitution.

The declaration will be signed by all member states during a special commemoration to be held in Berlin, Germany, later on this month. It will be debated during an EU summit meeting, in Brussels, at the end of this week where Malta will be represented by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi.

Addressing a press conference yesterday, European Commission President José Manuel Barroso, said he hoped the Berlin declaration would take a meaningful step towards resolving the EU's institutional issues.

"We need an institutional settlement and it has already been agreed that institutional matters are to be resolved by the end of next year," he said. EU leaders will have a kaleidoscope of items on their agenda, dominated by energy and climate change issues.

The EU needs to act on these issues as the world will be looking to see whether the EU can act, Mr Barroso said.

"From Washington to Moscow to Beijing, people will be watching to see if we really are credible when we talk about climate change.

"We need to show the world that we are serious when it comes to setting targets on renewable energy. But this must be a collective effort."

The Commission is currently pushing member states to agree to a 20 per cent renewable energy target by 2020. However, many member states, including Malta, are resisting nationally binding targets.

On the current upturn in the economy, the Commission President said the EU was fast emerging from the stagnation of three years ago with improved growth and job creation.

There was, however, no room for complacency and there needed to be further growth this year, he added.

The summit will be held tomorrow and Friday.