Leading role of the EU
The Chancellor recalled that under the German Presidency the EU had succeeded in making groundbreaking decisions on climate protection. She pointed out that the EU was at the cutting edge in this area and that she was going to contribute these convictions to the climate negotiations in Copenhagen in December.
The social market economy too must continue to be highlighted and defended as a successful model, she said. This model contained social and ecological standards. "Either we lose these basic principles”, stated the Chancellor, "or we fight to ensure they are also observed elsewhere.” Hence she again spoke out in favour of a charter for sustainable business, on the lines of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the Union which already exists.
A united Europe will be successful
The Chancellor stated that what mattered here was for Europe to pursue these objectives jointly. "I will not tolerate divisions in Europe”, said Merkel. "And that incidentally is the reason why I oppose the calls for greater coordination of economic policy in Europe, which are aimed at the Euro group. These have often not been fully thought through.” The single market of all 27 Member States continued to be the foundation of the EU, Merkel said.
Even if the Chancellor did not rule out expansion, she saw the urgent objective as being to secure the EU’s capacity for action with 27 Member States: "Deepening takes priority over rapid expansion”, she said, adding that she considered the Lisbon Treaty to be decisive in this process because it strengthened the position of the European Parliament, described the EU’s responsibilities more clearly and reinforced the role of the national parliaments.
She called upon all those with political responsibility to finalise the ratification process as quickly as possible. The Chancellor was relying on Ireland to decide in favour of the Treaty in its second referendum so that it could come into force this year.
Exercising responsibility in the world
Merkel said that citizens of Europe could only have trust in the EU if it functioned well. With the Lisbon Treaty the EU would have at its disposal a "good foundation for a European Union capable of exercising its responsibility in the world".
