“The Berlin Declaration needs to have the beginning of a solution for the impasse regarding the EU Constitution as we need to start looking towards the future and not back to the past,” Foreign Affairs Minister Michael Frendo said yesterday.

Dr Frendo was speaking at a Forum discussion on the German EU presidency.

The EU needs to be ready for further enlargement and do to so it is important that what “has been agreed upon must not be undone,” said Dr Frendo.

He also said that the EU needs to diversify its energy sources and added that he was pleased that the presidency has a strong social dimension.

German ambassador Karl Andreas von Stenglin said that the German presidency had the task to hold in-depth consultations with EU member states on the subject of drafting the Berlin Declaration, as well as on the subject of the draft constitutional treaty.

He added that it is Germany’s aim to hand over a report to the European Council at the end of the presidency with a roadmap.

“We have to keep the essence of the draft constitution – we do not necessarily have to call it constitution,” he said.

Mr von Stenglin added that Europe can only pull its weight if it is economically powerful.

“Improved competitiveness, promotion of innovation and research and development, investment in education and vocational training are necessary to succeed,” said Mr von Stenglin.

However, he said, Europe represents more than economic efficiency and market economy and that Germany will use its G8-Presidency to bring up the social dimension beyond Europe.

Mr von Stenglin also spoke about the issue of irregular immigration.

The support by Frontex and other member states has to be tailormade, said the German ambassador.

“In Malta’s case, the EU has to take into account the small size of the country and its limited resources,” he said.

Furthermore, he added, it bears responsibility for a vast sea area of search and rescue in no proportion to its own territory. Malta has the largest per capita influx of irregular immigrants in the EU.

Dr Frendo said that he was quite encouraged by the emphasis given by the German presidency to Frontex and irregular immigration.

“This issue has to be embedded in the EU’s agenda and more resources and commitment are needed from each member State,” he said.

The irregular immigration policies are more than simple police controls of the borders of Europe, but the issue needs to be approached holistically,” added Dr Frendo.

Dr Frendo said the German presidency is the start of the Trio Presidency – on the three successive German, Portuguese and Slovenian presidencies, followed by the French, Czech and Swedish presidencies to prepar for the 2009 European Election.

He pointed out that the German programme as presented by Mr von Stenglin was very thorough and specific.

Dr Frendo emphasised the importance of not forgetting why the EU was set up because otherwise it will lose its spirit.

“It is important to celebrate the 50th anniversary since the signing in Rome – to commemorate why the EU was set up,” said Dr Frendo.

The top five priorities of the German presidency work programme are: the EU Constitutional Treaty and preparation of the Berlin Declaration, economic dynamism and social responsibility, energy security and environment protection, justice and home affairs, common foreign and security policy.

Mr von Stenglin said that the main item of the presidency will be the celebration of 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaties of Rome on 25 March.

In the Berlin Declaration, the EU leaders will have the opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to Europe’s values and ambitions and confirm their shared commitment to deliver them.

“Europe can only be strong if it presents a united effort, filled with fresh courage – only together can we succeed,” said Mr von Stenglin.

As a result, the slogan of the German presidency work programme is “Europe – Succeeding Together.”