European foreign policy chief Javier Solana on Thursday affirmed that the European Union (EU) would retain its influence in the international arena despite the crisis it is going through.

"The fact that the EU has a political and economic problem to approve the finance perspective has nothing to do with its determination to pursue its commitments within the international community," Solana said on French LCI news channel.

"I don't know whether the constitution will be ratified or not, but we should continue to be a capable organization to settle problems" on the international scene, he added.

Last week the EU summit failed to reach any agreement on the EU 2007-2013 budget, after French and Dutch voters rejected the EU constitution.

Solana noted that the Union has an obligation to work with its partners in efforts to solve the problems facing Kosovo, Middle East and Darfur.

"We are very committed to the evacuation of Gaza, the reconstruction of occupied territories and the implementation of the roadmap (peace plan for the Middle East)," he added.

Source: Xinhua