EU Constitution: Mrs. Merkel said she believes the enlarged EU still needs a constitution, despite its rejection in polls in France and the Netherlands earlier this year: "We may allow a pause for further consideration and second thoughts but we have made it very clear that we are willing to make our contribution to whatever is necessary to see the constitution come into force. [...] The pause for reflection is not an excuse to set aside the constitution. We need the constitution. We need to reinforce the feeling that difficult problems can be solved."
EU finances: A day before her talks with UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, Mrs. Merkel said that "on the financial perspective, we have to look at all the issues, those of the net contributors as well as beneficiaries and we can't reduce it to one point." she said that "the question of the British rebate is one of part of the whole compendium, but we'll only be able to find a solution if we can take all the outstanding issues and address them together. [...] My message will be that I strongly support an economically strong Europe. We need reforms so that Europe can make its contribution and play its role, but as we address the financial perspectives we need to address the concerns of everybody."
EU social model: "Our social model can only be preserved if we are economically strong", Mrs. Merkel said, addressing reporters in Brussels.
Franco-German relations: Mrs. Merkel said her choice of Paris as the first stop on her tour of European capitals "reflects the deep conviction that a good German-French relationship, a friendly, a deep relationship, is not only important for our two countries but also necessary and desirable for Europe. [...] Germany and France have a common duty towards the new member states, the central and eastern European states, to give them some reassurance that they can continue their development in this Europe. [...] I am confident we will manage to develop our cordial relationship. This is not about ritual. It is about a deep conviction that a strong relationship between France and Germany is both necessary and beneficial to Europe."
To which French President Jacques Chirac added: "To function well, Europe must have a truly solid Franco-German axis. [...] Experience proves it: If we don't get along, then the system is blocked and Europe is a bit like a car with a broken part.''
German-US relations: "I believe the ties between the United States and Germany can be developed further,'' Mrs. Merkel said after talks with NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer.
Iraq war: Asked whether Germany would take part in training Iraqi military officers inside the country, Mrs. Merkel said: "We made clear in the talks that we will continue not to take part in training inside Iraq, but that we will continue to conduct training in neighbouring countries. So there will be continuity with the previous policy."
NATO: At NATO headquarters, Mrs. Merkel said NATO should be the central forum for transatlantic political and security cooperation: "NATO should be the place where people turn first with member states to discuss political issues."
Relations to Russia: Mrs. Merkel, who grew up in East Germany, speaks Russian fluently, but is said to be more critical towards current Russian policy than her predecessor. When visiting France in July, she said good relations to Russia must not impede relations to other countries like Poland.