Germany's Merkel vows to pursue ambitious EU treaty

BERLIN, Sep 22 (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel vowed today to push for an ambitious European constitution when Germany assumes the EU presidency next year, saying the bloc should not settle for a weak treaty just to get consensus.

The comments, in a speech to the International Bertelsmann Forum in Berlin, appeared to signal a rejection of French presidential hopeful Nicolas Sarkozy's idea of a ''mini-treaty'' -- a diluted version of the EU constitution that was rejected by French and Dutch voters last year.

''I am against cherry picking,'' Merkel said. ''It is not about taking the items that can be agreed easily and leaving the rest for future presidencies. It's about approaching this with ambition.'' Her speech was billed as a major address that would lay out Germany's priorities before it assumes the presidency in January, but it was short on detail and Merkel worked hard to dampen expectations of what Germany could accomplish on its own.

''We will present a plan at the end of our presidency, ideas, a draft with certain dates,'' Merkel said of the constitution.

But she said it was unfair to ''put the burden on one state''.

Hopes are high that Germany can get Europe back on track after the constitution fiasco last year.

The treaty was aimed at streamlining decision-making in the EU following its expansion into eastern Europe, but fears over enlargement, notably plans to open membership talks with Turkey, were seen as the major reason for the French and Dutch vetoes.

Merkel will be limited in how far she can push the treaty before French presidential elections next spring and she has been searching for other big themes that will allow her to make a mark.

FIVE PRIORITIES She laid out five main priorities, including the revival of the constitution, a drive to boost Europe's economy, a sharpening of Europe's profile, the forging of a common approach to global issues and a push to convince young Europeans of the bloc's continued relevance.

''We need to refound Europe for the younger generation. We need to explain it to them and we must show them that they are better off with Europe.'' While urging an ''intercultural and interreligious dialogue'', she highlighted the dangers of further enlargement, making clear that Turkey faced a tough battle to join the bloc.

''In the foreseeable future we will not be able to make promises on new accession talks. This is my attitude and I stand by it,'' she said.

''With a view to those who lead accession talks, it is important that criteria are fulfilled and accepted. Cyprus is still causing problems and we need to find a solution to this,'' she added.

Turkey does not recognise southern Cyprus, which is part of the EU, and that is proving a major stumbling block in its bid to join the bloc.

Merkel has strong reservations about Turkish membership but has not stood in the way of Ankara's EU entry talks, which started before she took office.

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