31/01/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday, the College of 27 Commissioners held an informal working breakfast to discuss preparations for the “Berlin Declaration”, in which the EU intends to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, on 25 March. The debate did not lead to any formal conclusions, a Commission spokesperson explained, going on to confirm the “general support” expressed by the Commissioners for the speech made by President José Manuel Barroso before the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 17 January, at a session attended by German Chancellor Angela Merkel. In his speech, Mr Barroso proposed five key subjects to be mentioned in the Berlin Declaration: Solidarity, sustainability, responsibility, security and values (see EUROPE 9346 for more details). The Commission has also agreed that the Berlin Declaration should contribute to the creation of “the right conditions” for finding a solution to the problem of the European Constitution. The Commission will continue this debate in the coming weeks and months and will make proposals and contributions “when the time comes, if necessary”, said the spokesperson. (hb)