EU:Europe needs to reform to make itself more relevant to its citizens, the new European Parliament president, Hans-Gert Pöttering, outlined yesterday.
In his first address to the parliament since he was elected in January, Mr Pöttering stressed the need for "a new pact" between the citizens of Europe and their political institutions in the European Union.
His address was followed by German chancellor and council president Angela Merkel and commission president José Manuel Barroso, who joined Mr Pöttering in stressing the importance of the European Constitution.
Mr Pöttering said Europe needed a new start and needed to fight against the impression that it was made up of technocrats.
"We must give better reasons than we have so far for why Europe is good for us all, what added value European union brings and what the aims of our efforts are," he said.
He said the European Parliament will also have to reform and that he will this week submit a proposal for a comprehensive reform of the way it works.
"Citizens [ for] Europe and the credibility of the European institutions are conditional upon each other," he said.
The 61-year-old German Christian Democrat said one of the priorities of his term would be the defence of Europe's values, which have "their fundamental roots in the dignity of the individual". He said that he wanted partnership "with a Russia that is democratic and capable of action".
The parliament expected the Russian authorities to make "discernible efforts" to ensure that the people responsible for the murder of Anna Politkovskaya are brought to justice, he said.
Mr Pöttering, who will lead the parliament until the next European elections in 2009, also said Europe's future depends on successful coexistence among cultures and religions, and he emphasised the need for an intercultural dialogue.
In her address Ms Merkel said the proposed European constitution was crucial for the effectiveness of the EU. It was important that by the next European elections the public know what kind of parliament they are voting for.
She said that climate change and energy would be top of the agenda at the next EU summit in March, stating that it was hoped CO2 emissions could be cut by 30 per cent by 2020. A highly competitive internal market was essential, she added.