• We hear that Germany is keen to revive the EU Constitution project. Can you explain the significance as many feel EU should focus more on institutional reforms to strengthen economic engagement?

The EU has been such a big success, but decision-making is now difficult with the number of members increasing. We would like to have a team presidency for 18 months rather than for six months. The main task of the German presidency is to unlock the deadlock over the constitution. What Chancellor Merkel will try to do is develop a roadmap for an agreement.

• Germany is one of the few countries that India still accepts official development assistance from. Is India’s growth story likely to change the situation?

It makes us proud that Germany is still considered by India as a relevant and important partner in its development. India is an emerging country now — it’s highly developed in parts as well as underdeveloped in some parts of the country. Germany wants to assist India in overcoming these gaps. Even in cities, provision of basic public goods like education, healthcare and vocational training is a problem.

• Some members of the German Parliament have written to the chancellor demanding that Germany withdraw development assistance to the fast-growing economies of India and China? How did the government react?

The government’s position has been the same — we are committed to the Millennium Development Goals. It’s not about money any longer, but more about technical help in areas like infrastructure.

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