Chirac Supports "European Constitution"

French President Jacques Chirac Tuesday expressed his support for the idea of drafting a "European Constitution" as the next step in the process of European integration.

In a speech addressed to the German parliament (Bundstag) at the Reichstag in Berlin, Chirac said that "after a period of time the (European) governments and people would be called on to give their points of view" on a European Constitution, according to local media reports.

Chirac made the declaration four days ahead of France's assumption of the six-month European Union (EU) rotating presidency.

He also supported the idea of building a "pioneer group" of European countries which want to go further and faster in their political and economic integration.

This is the first time for the French president to formally support a German proposal on drafting a European Constitution.

German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer said on May 12 that Europe must have a constitution, a directly elected executive and a two-chamber parliament if it wants to go ahead in its integration process.

People's Daily Online --- http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/