A number of Polish politicians voiced their hope on Monday that the European Union (EU), with Germany taking over the six-month rotating presidency, would make progress on its constitutional treaty and formulate a new policy towards Russia.

Jacek Saryusz-Wolski, deputy president of the European Parliament, told the Polish news agency PAP that Germany's plans concerning the EU's eastern policy were of much interest for Poland.

Germany wants to formulate the EU's policy towards Russia. It will succeed only when it takes into account the position of other countries for which Russia is a priority, including Poland, said former Polish former foreign minister Adam Rotfed.

According to Polish former European minister Jaroslaw Pietras, if Germany fails to be effective, this would confirm the crisis caused by the lack of leadership.

Germany should define the most significant problems hampering the EU development, start a discussion and seek ways to solve them, Pietras said, adding that one of the problems should be the future of the EU Constitution.

All countries, except Poland, believe that the EU can no longer function with the Nice treaty, said Polish Parliament member Dariusz Rosati, who also voiced the hope that Germany would present "a road map on how to solve the problem."

Pawel Zalewski, the head of the Polish parliament's foreign affairs committee, said that Germany should focus on the EU's common energy policy and a new concept of the bloc's eastern policy.

As to the EU Constitution, Zalewski said that Germany would surely be trying to define how to move on to a new treaty and present a schedule of steps to be taken.

Source: Xinhua