Brussels, 11/10/2006 (Agence Europe) - Germany will be presiding the EU in the first half of 2007 and intends to work “ambitiously” on a road map for the adoption of a new European Treaty, expected to enter into force before the European elections of 2009, affirmed the Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel at the end of a meeting between her government and the president of the Commission José Manuel Barroso on Wednesday 11 October in Berlin (EUROPE 9283). This road map, accompanied by an exact timetable, will be presented in June 2007 at the latest, at the European Council. Ms Merkel highlighted the fact that the current draft of the European Constitution should not be amended too much in substance. She stressed that the new treaty should be a text that “is worthy of the name of a constitutional treaty”. Mr Barroso said that he was sure that Germany would “use all its energy” to find a solution to the Constitutional problem. However, he did warn that, “We need the commitment, influence and enthusiasm of Germany for Europe but at the same time we have to be cautious. There should not be too high expectations”. Barroso added that it was indispensable that for the new treaty to enter into force in 2009 a final decision needed to be taken before the end of 2008 under the French presidency of the EU. (hb)