-----抜粋-----
EU urged to put
off constitution decision until 2008
BRUSSELS (AFP) -
European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso urged EU leaders to put off any decision on the bloc's moribund constitution until at least 2008.
Despite a warning that
debate about what to do with the constitution was becoming an "extended
siesta" as interest waned, Barroso said more time for discussion was
needed to figure out what action to take.
"We should give the
constitution one more chance but we need more time for the debate," he
said. "At this stage the conditions have not been met to resolve the
constitution issue."
Barroso's call came
almost a year into the so-called "period of reflection" about Europe's
future announced after French and Dutch voters rejected the EU's planned
constitution, throwing the bloc into its worst-ever crisis.
It echoed remarks by
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who said on Wednesday that the time was not
ripe for a constitution.
"We should not rush
things. We should instead wait for the right moment to act," she said.
Until a decision was
taken on what to do with the landmark charter, Barroso said, EU leaders should
draw up a "solemn" declaration laying out their vision of Europe's
future and commit to fulfilling its goals.