Editing Joschka Fischer (section)

===European integration===
In May 2000, Fischer proposed the creation of a [[European Federation|European federation]] with a directly elected president and parliament sharing real executive and legislative powers. Fischer proposed the eventual enactment of a constitutional treaty that would set out which powers were to be shifted to the new European executive and parliament, and those that remained at national level.<ref>Roger Cohen (15 May 2000), [https://www.nytimes.com/2000/05/15/world/german-urges-europe-create-central-body-for-governing.html German Urges Europe Create Central Body For Governing] ''[[New York Times]]''.</ref> In response, [[President of France|President]] [[Jacques Chirac]] of France urged Germany in June 2000 to join France in spearheading a core group of European Union countries that would move faster than others toward political and economic union.<ref>[[Suzanne Daley]] (28 June 2000), [https://www.nytimes.com/2000/06/28/world/french-leader-in-berlin-urges-a-fast-track-to-unity-in-europe.html French Leader, in Berlin, Urges A Fast Track to Unity in Europe] ''[[New York Times]]''.</ref>

In October 2002, Fischer was appointed by the German government to the [[Convention on the Future of Europe]], replacing [[Peter Glotz]]. Fischer had expressed a keen interest in taking part in the convention during the coalition talks with Chancellor Gerhard Schröder following the [[2002 German federal election|2002 elections]].<ref>Martin Banks (23 October 2002), [http://www.politico.eu/article/mixed-reaction-to-convention-role-for-fischer-2/ Mixed reaction to Convention role for Fischer] ''[[European Voice]]''.</ref> In a paper jointly signed by Fischer and French Foreign Minister [[Dominique de Villepin]], in November 2002, Germany and France pushed for a [[Defense pact|mutual defence commitment]] to be part of the constitution.<ref>Dana Spinant (12 March 2003), [http://www.politico.eu/article/does-eu-need-a-mutual-defence-pact/ Does EU need a mutual defence pact?] ''[[European Voice]]''.</ref> In 2004, he was one of the [[signatories to the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe]].

====Relations with Russia====
Fischer has long been critical of Russia, especially on human rights.<ref>[http://www.economist.com/node/14041654 Joschka Fischer v Gerhard Schröder] ''[[The Economist]]''.</ref> However, during his time as foreign minister, Germany's relations with Russia were primarily guided by Chancellor Gerhard Schröder. In 2004, Fischer called on Ukraine to hold a recount of the [[2004 Ukrainian presidential election|presidential elections]] after Putin-backed candidate [[Viktor Yanukovich]] was the first to declare his victory despite mass protests in Kyiv.<ref>Arkady Ostrovsky (24 November 2004), [http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/597ac7d8-3dbe-11d9-abe0-00000e2511c8.html Vote's outcome seen as defining moment for Moscow] ''[[Financial Times]]''.</ref>