Angela Merkel delivers her speech on European integration to German parliament Thursday, May 11, 2006

German Chancellor Angela Merkel says Berlin will use its presidency of the European Union next year to revive the European constitution.

Ms. Merkel told the lower house of parliament Thursday the constitution is needed to ensure the EU is "capable of action." The European charter suffered a setback last year when French and Dutch voters rejected it.

But the German leader says she is against moving too quickly to promote the charter in the 25-member bloc, and she urged careful consideration of how to make the constitution a success.

Germany will assume the rotating presidency of the EU on January 1, 2007 for a six-month period.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.