BERLIN, March 25 (UPI) -- Leaders of the European Union meeting in Germany Sunday adopted the Berlin Declaration, a non-binding statement of their common values and future goals.
The document was signed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who holds the EU's rotating presidency, along with the presidents of the European Commission and European Parliament, Deutsche Welle said Sunday. The signing came as the European leaders wrapped up a weekend of celebrations in Berlin marking the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome, which established the first organized collaboration between European countries.
"We, the citizens of Europe, have united for the better," the document states. However, there is no direct mention of the divisive issue of admitting Turkey or the Balkan nations and it mostly shies away from the stalled EU constitution, the BBC said.
The lone vague reference to the constitutional talks calls for "placing the EU on a renewed common basis" before the 2009 elections to the European Parliament.
Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende said it was best to avoid the word "constitution."
"It's a very good declaration and what we need now is a change of treaties," he said.
