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15/06/2005
Blair calls for ‘fundamental debate’ on Europe
Prime Minister Tony Blair has said that a “fundamental debate” on the future of Europe is needed at the European summit, which begins in Brussels tomorrow.
Speaking at Prime Minister’s Question Time today, Mr Blair said: “I think there is a clear understanding now in Europe that there needs to be a far more fundamental debate about the future.” The Prime Minister said that Europe had to be “relevant to people in the early 21st century”.
The European Summit, which will take place on June 16 and 17, will discuss the future of the EU constitution, which suffered humiliating defeats in referendums in France and the Netherlands, as well as the proposed EU budget for 2007 – 2013.
The controversial topic of Britain’s £3 billion EU rebate will also be on the agenda, as will the subject of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), which has ignited a row between Britain and France.
Britain has refused to accept a reduction in the rebate, secured by Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s, unless the agricultural subsidies granted to France under CAP are also discussed – something which French President Jacques Chirac is opposed to.
Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s summit, Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission called on EU leaders to show “political maturity and political responsibility” and compromise on the EU budget.
Britain has already threatened to use its veto, if necessary, in order to retain the rebate.
Conservative leader Michael Howard today accused Mr Blair of “wriggling like a worm on a fish hook” over the issue of Europe and told him to “give it straight” to European leaders at tomorrow’s summit. He also urged Mr Blair to accept that the EU constitution was “dead”, following the referendums in France and the Netherlands.
Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy also said that the constitution was now “no longer viable” and called for a “formal moratorium” on any significant treaty revisions.
Mr Blair stressed that any decision on the future of the constitution could only be made by Europe as a whole and reiterated his call for a “period of reflection”.
(KMcA)
Speaking at Prime Minister’s Question Time today, Mr Blair said: “I think there is a clear understanding now in Europe that there needs to be a far more fundamental debate about the future.” The Prime Minister said that Europe had to be “relevant to people in the early 21st century”.
The European Summit, which will take place on June 16 and 17, will discuss the future of the EU constitution, which suffered humiliating defeats in referendums in France and the Netherlands, as well as the proposed EU budget for 2007 – 2013.
The controversial topic of Britain’s £3 billion EU rebate will also be on the agenda, as will the subject of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), which has ignited a row between Britain and France.
Britain has refused to accept a reduction in the rebate, secured by Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s, unless the agricultural subsidies granted to France under CAP are also discussed – something which French President Jacques Chirac is opposed to.
Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s summit, Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission called on EU leaders to show “political maturity and political responsibility” and compromise on the EU budget.
Britain has already threatened to use its veto, if necessary, in order to retain the rebate.
Conservative leader Michael Howard today accused Mr Blair of “wriggling like a worm on a fish hook” over the issue of Europe and told him to “give it straight” to European leaders at tomorrow’s summit. He also urged Mr Blair to accept that the EU constitution was “dead”, following the referendums in France and the Netherlands.
Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy also said that the constitution was now “no longer viable” and called for a “formal moratorium” on any significant treaty revisions.
Mr Blair stressed that any decision on the future of the constitution could only be made by Europe as a whole and reiterated his call for a “period of reflection”.
(KMcA)
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20 June 2005
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10 June 2005
Blair calls for review of EU funding
Prime Minister Tony Blair has said he will not accept a reduction in Britain’s annual £3bn rebate from the European Union unless there is a debate about all EU funding.
Blair calls for review of EU funding
Prime Minister Tony Blair has said he will not accept a reduction in Britain’s annual £3bn rebate from the European Union unless there is a debate about all EU funding.
09 September 2003
Blair backs draft EU constitution
Prime Minister Tony Blair has backed the controversial draft for a European Union constitution. In a White Paper foreword from Mr Blair, he advocated the draft treaty as the basis for a more effective European Union.
Blair backs draft EU constitution
Prime Minister Tony Blair has backed the controversial draft for a European Union constitution. In a White Paper foreword from Mr Blair, he advocated the draft treaty as the basis for a more effective European Union.
19 April 2004
Blair welcomes EU expansion
The legacy of the Second World War and the Cold War will be erased when the EU expands to 25 countries on 1 May, the Prime Minister said today. Speaking 12 days before the accession to the EU of 10 new member states, Mr Blair said the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development played a "vital role" in the process.
Blair welcomes EU expansion
The legacy of the Second World War and the Cold War will be erased when the EU expands to 25 countries on 1 May, the Prime Minister said today. Speaking 12 days before the accession to the EU of 10 new member states, Mr Blair said the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development played a "vital role" in the process.
27 May 2005
Chirac makes final plea for referendum support
French President Jacques Chirac has made a final plea for a ‘yes’ vote ahead of Sunday’s referendum on the EU constitution. However, the latest poll shows over 50% of the French plan to vote ‘no’ in the referendum. “It is about our future, that of your children, of the future of France and the future of Europe,” said Mr Chirac.
Chirac makes final plea for referendum support
French President Jacques Chirac has made a final plea for a ‘yes’ vote ahead of Sunday’s referendum on the EU constitution. However, the latest poll shows over 50% of the French plan to vote ‘no’ in the referendum. “It is about our future, that of your children, of the future of France and the future of Europe,” said Mr Chirac.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
