BERLIN - German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder warned on Tuesday that refusing to incorporate any more eastern European nations into the EU could feed the fires of nationalism which led to conflict in the Balkans.
In a speech to mark the 50th anniversary of the post-World War II German army, Schroeder said that if the current crisis over the European Union's constitution forced the further enlargement of the bloc to be halted then it could have a "divisive effect" on the continent.
"And what are we supposed to say to the people of the western Balkans?" Schroeder said, in a reference to Bosnia-Hercegovina and Croatia who are both candidates for EU membership.
He called for the EU to maintain the basic idea of a common Europe, despite the hurdles caused by France and the Netherlands rejecting the constitution in referendums.
Schroeder has been a strong supporter of enlarging the bloc but he is facing opposition at home from the opposition conservative Christian Democrats who fear the EU is expanding too far and too quickly.
The Christian Democrats, who look likely to win a general election expected in September, are particularly opposed to the decision to open membership talks with Turkey and believe the predominantly Muslim state should only be offered a "privileged partnership" with Europe.
The EU constitution is designed to provide the framework for an EU which last year expanded to 25 states after accepting ten new members, mainly from eastern Europe.
Yet the scale of the bloc's enlargement was cited as a concern by "no" voters in France and the Netherlands.
Following the rejections there, Britain announced it was putting its plans for a referendum on hold despite calls from leaders including Schroeder to continue with the ratification process.
The German leader said after talks last week with Romanian Prime Minister Calin Tariceanu that he believed both Romania and Bulgaria must be allowed to join the EU in 2007 as anticipated, providing they meet all the criteria.
"This is an unbelievable, historic chance for these countries, because culturally and historically, they belong to Europe," Schroeder said.
06/07/2005 14:17 GMT