Then, Poettering mentioned two of the "forthcoming important events that await us. First and foremost, the Summit in Berlin on March 25th, to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the Treaties that established the EEC. On that occasion, a Statement will be made on the future of Europe, signed by the Parliament, the Council and the Commission, which shall confirm the need of solidarity among the European peoples". "Then, the June Council awaits us to bring into focus" the next political and institutional steps, "so as to implement the contents of the Constitution". Will the issue of the Christian roots of the Continent be resumed? "I have done all I could to have the Christian heritage included in the Constitutional Treaty back then. Now, as president of the EU Parliament, I have to defend the position of the majority of the Assembly, that does not agree with mine". Poettering, instead, did not want to say whether if he intends to invite the Pope to Strasbourg, while he stated that he "might ask for an audience" with Benedict XVI, "hoping his wish will come true".
