We must now face the difficult task of moving towards a single economy, a single political entity .. For the first time since the fall of the Roman Empire we have the opportunity to unite Europe.

Are we all clear that we want to build something that can aspire to be a world power - not just a trading bloc, but a political entity?

We are involved in a constitution-building process of historic importance. The Convention should mark a new stage in European integration.

I am sure the euro will oblige us to introduce a new set of economic policy instruments. It is politically impossible to propose that now. But some day there will be a crisis and new instruments will be created.

It is becoming more widely acknowledged that it is better to have a good constitution than not having a perfect one.

Are we all clear that we want to build something that can aspire to be a world power? In other words, not just a trading bloc but a political entity. Do we realise that our nation states, taken individually, would find it far more difficult to assert their existence and their identity on the world stage.

The EU must take on new responsibilities. And these new responsibilities call for intensifying the integration process.