This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/6269349.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
German leader to outline EU plans German leader outlines EU plans
(about 7 hours later)
German Chancellor Angela Merkel is set to outline her plans for the German presidency of the EU at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has begun setting out her plans for the German presidency of the EU at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
"Succeeding together" is her chosen motto for the six-month tenure. Germany's leadership has been keenly awaited and Mrs Merkel's plans, not least for the EU constitution, will be closely watched, correspondents say.
Energy security is one of Germany's priorities and another is a greater coherence in EU foreign policy. However, Germany has been damping down expectations that it will be able to find a way out of that impasse.
However, Germany has been damping down expectations that it will be able to find a way out of the impasse over the deadlocked EU constitution. "Succeeding together" is Mrs Merkel's motto for the six-month tenure.
Germany is one of Europe's heavyweights, and expectations are high.Germany is one of Europe's heavyweights, and expectations are high.
But it is the vexed question of the EU constitution, which was supposed to simplify working arrangements and decision-making, that has attracted the greatest attention.But it is the vexed question of the EU constitution, which was supposed to simplify working arrangements and decision-making, that has attracted the greatest attention.
It has been on ice since it was rejected by French and Dutch voters 18 months ago. The constitution has been on ice since it was rejected by French and Dutch voters 18 months ago.
Mrs Merkel has said she will take an ambitious approach, but she is not promising any solutions.Mrs Merkel has said she will take an ambitious approach, but she is not promising any solutions.
In March, EU leaders will mark the European Union's 50th birthday with a Berlin declaration on its fundamental values and aims - but do not expect a big fanfare. Among Germany's other priorities are energy security and greater coherence in EU foreign policy.
That is not Mrs Merkel's style, and the EU is not in much of a party mood. In March, EU leaders will mark the European Union's 50th birthday with a Berlin declaration on its fundamental values and aims - but do not expect a big fanfare, says the BBC's Alix Kroeger in Strasbourg.
That is not Mrs Merkel's style, and the EU is not in much of a party mood, our correspondent says.