The convention should begin "as quickly as possible," the two Austrian People's Party politicians said at a joint press conference in Vienna, but added it would make most sense after the European elections in 2014, Austria Press Agency reported.

　　Spindelegger said all European states and institutions should take part in the convention, to discuss three main issues -- a community method, increased democratic legitimacy, and EU enlargement.

　　With regard to enlargement, he spoke specifically about the Western Balkans, and voiced his support for Serbian accession to the EU.

　　He also said the economic crisis had caused fears and led many to lose faith in the European project. Spindelegger acknowledged the economic troubles of Cyprus showed that challenges remained, though he added the Union was in a better position now, and that signs did not point to an end to the euro.

　　Karas said the EU came to its limits in coping with the crisis, and said a single currency needed "a pooling of instruments." Firstly a banking union should be created, followed by a fiscal union, an economic and social union, and finally a political union, he added.