Britain and Poland were accused of being the obstacles to a deal on Europe’s
future last night as the preparations for tomorrow’s crucial summit became
increasingly rocky.
The head of the European Commission told Britain directly that it was not
being “intelligent” in threatening to block parts of the revived EU
constitution.
But Margaret Beckett, the Foreign Secretary, accused most of the EU of being
“in denial” about the failure of the previous constitution.
The angry exchanges came as Tony Blair and Gordon Brown presented a united
front to the rest of Europe. In a joint telephone call with President
Sarkozy of France, they made plain that there would be no retreat from the
“red lines” set out by Mr Blair on Monday.
According to Downing Street, the three agreed that Britain and France should
work together to help to create an amending treaty and “that a return to a
constitutional treaty as rejected by France and Holland would not be
possible”.
They talked as José Manuel Barroso, the Commission President, showed his
frustration at continued objections to the new EU treaty from Britain and
Poland by giving warning that it would not be in their long-term interests
to rock the boat, and he told them to stop talking of “red lines and vetoes”.
Mrs Beckett, appearing before the Commons Foreign Affairs Select Committee,
surprised MPs by saying that there had been a lack of proper negotiation in
the run-up to the summit.
Countries that ratified the previous constitution, rejected by France and the
Netherlands, were reluctant to accept that the original treaty could not
return, she added.
“There have not been feverish negotiations and discussions in Europe, I wish
there had,” Mrs Beckett said yesterday. “Most of our colleagues, bluntly,
have been in denial, saying things like, ‘People signed up to this in 2004
so therefore we must all agree with it now’. Maybe it’s a great pity that
there have been no negotiations.”
She said that the attitude of those countries that had previously ratified the
constitution was, understandably, whether they could save as much of it as
possible. “For those countries, this is genuinely very difficult,” she added.
Mrs Beckett said that Mr Blair’s red lines were “the closest we have come to
spelling out” our position. She added: “We have been keeping our negotiating
powder dry.”
Mr Barroso, a former Portuguese Prime Minister backed by Britain to run the
European Commission, launched an ill-tempered attack on countries that he
thought were hampering this week’s talks on a treaty to replace the failed
constitution.
Britain has set out more “red-line” objections than any other country and the
Poles are digging in hard for a review of voting weights because they
believe that the proposed new system will give Germany too much power.
“It is not in the interest of any member state to be in a position that is
seen as hard- liner,” Mr Barroso said before the summit, which starts in
Brussels tomorrow. “Please avoid appearing as blocking. This is not
intelligent, this is not in your interest,” he said.
“It may be useful for some national consumption for some time, but it will not
be useful in the medium and the long term. Defend your positions, but don’t
come with these red lines and vetoes.” Mr Barroso added: “Failure would set
back our work across the board.”
Britain secured some presentational changes in the first draft of the EU
treaty proposal last night.
The title of EU “foreign minister” will be dropped and replaced with a name
that does not conflict with the titles of national representatives, although
the job will remain, according to the proposals to be put forward by the
German EU presidency and seen by The Times.
Importantly for Mr Blair, the draft document discussed by diplomats in
Brussels last night proposed downgrading the EU constitution aim of stating
the primacy of Union law by instead making it a “declaration”.
You state that "Mrs Beckett repeated the Government’s position that the UK would not agree to any treaty which would require a referendum, something that was promised on the original constitution."
Well, that's not strictly true. The Labour Party Manifesto for the 2005 General election stated explicitly that the referendum was offered on the TREATY. Here is the relevant section:
"The new Constitutional Treaty ensures the new Europe can work effectively, and that Britain keeps control of key national interests like foreign policy, taxation, social security and defence ... We will put it to the British people in a referendum and campaign whole-heartedly for a ‘Yes’ vote to keep Britain a leading nation in Europe."
The Labour Party manifesto 2005, pp. 83-84 - a PDF document version of the manifesto can be obtained from a BBC page here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/13_04_05_labour_manifesto.pdf
Anything equivocal about that manifesto 'promise' of a referendum ... ?
Joe Jones, London, UK
I believe that the European Union is bad for the United Kingdom. The U.K. should never relinquish any degree of its sovereignty. The British have fought too many wars to be free,just to give it all away.
Floyd, United States,
De Gaulle was right to prevent Britain to join the EU
Blair European President ? what a laugh !!!
Massias, Casablanca, Morocco
Are we supposed to be impressed by these red-lines? Are we to understand that our government is fighting for Britain's interests against a federalist agenda?
This is all play-acting by Europe's leaders to impress their respective electorates. Two of Blair's original six red lines have already been crossed by the EU. And the Charter of Fundamental Rights has already been adopted by the ECJ, so it is now moot whether the EC frames it into EU law or not. The judges have already made their decision.
We are now governed by a document that we were told would have all the legal force of The Beano.
If our leaders had any intention of honouring their commitment to democracy, there would be a referendum in each EU state. Instead, we see they are far more interested in expanding the gravy train they are on and that Blair has decided it far more important that he is the EU’s President.
Edwin Thornber, Bucharest, Romania
The German presidency has indeed failed to hold proper negotiations to prepare this summit. This is easily explained by the fact that the German government, contrary to its words and actions, understood very well that there is no chance to revive the Constutional Treaty after it was killed by the French and Dutch. What we are witnessing is a game of deflecting the blame, for domestic political purposes. The most dearly held prejudice of the French and German speaking world is that all "Anglo-Saxons" are determined to keep Europe weak. Logically, Britain must therefore somehow be blamed for the EU's failure to agree on its future role and institutional design. All the UK can do now is stay its course and take pride in the fact that it is Britain and not Germany or France who produces the economic success and global political influence the EU is meant to provide.
Klaus Becher, London,
In acknowledging the relationship between the EU and its Member States, it is wholly legitimate and reasonable that countries should present their views regarding a particular issue. The tendency of Europe to attempt to gain greater constitutional powers, and almost pressurize States into viewing political questions from a Community perspective, means that the nations themselves must take a hard-line. The extent to which a new agreement is seen as being either an amending treaty or part of the original CT is as a result of states holding views about Europe’s values and interests differently to others. This fact itself cannot be denied. It would be interesting to know what Mr Barroso means by stipulating that it is not in the best interest of states to provide resistance to any proposals. It seems that he is may be suggesting some form of sanction or penalty. Finally, the voting weights are a considerable concern to Poland – they are justified in investigating this matter.
Marcin Roth, London , UK
And we're supposed to take seriously comments from Fausto, who comes from a region which has been agitating for years to become independent from Spain!? Why do you suppose the Basques want this? Because they want to govern themselves and want to have those who make the laws be accountable to the people. It is the lack of this in the EU's structures today, let alone in the proposed constitution/treaty, which has made so many of us who support the idea of a united Europe in principle despair of the EU and its grandiose, bullying and anti-democratic character, so perfectly expressed by Ms Merkel and Jose Barroso.
C Powell, London,
We will be lied to endlessly by this sordid organisation that cannot even get the auditors to accept its finances. It is corrupt and undemocratic, and we should hold a referendum to let the people decide if we want to remain members. On the other hand, our own government is corrupt too....oh dear!
Alan, Ormskirk,
No business would allow an executive who is working out his notice to be their representative at a crucial meeting. There would be a real danger that he would not act in the best interests of the company.
Tony Blair should be escorted off the premises now.
Mark, London,
Forget about the EU constitution. To me the EU is barely a democratic organisation, being run by decree and commissioners appointed, not elected.
It is a pity that the EU 'parliament' debates are not televised. They are certainly not widely reported in the press. Will you be fully reporting the EU parliament debate on the new constitution?
On another point I wonder if their accounts have been finally audited?
Austin Lask, Stapleford/Cambs, UK
It is high time we got out of Europe for good.
We are net losers and always have been in terms of trade, not to mention the political and bureaucratic constraints imposed on us by a non-elected commission.
As a nation, we (although I voted No anyway) were conned in the 70s as to what we were getting into, we turned our back on the commonwealth and our other trading partners and we have paid the price ever since; the ERM, Black Wednesday, rules, regulations, uncontrolled immigration from Eastern Europe and beyond.
It is only because we have kept at arm's length from the single currency and other issues that we have remained the most successful economy in Europe.
In the words of Monty Python (loosely adapted) "What has Europe ever done for us?" It seems to me that most Europeans don't like us anyway, so what are we doing trying to be adopted into a family with whom we have nothing in common?
edwardingle, chesham,
Luca asks why we don't just get out now. Well, Luca, we are trying but our politicians are a bunch of weenies. But when we do, we will fly free as a bird while the countries of the European Union continue to sink under a vast weight of unnecessary (except to the bureaucrats) legislation and more and more sclerotic regulation.
You see, England has a tradition of everything being legal unless it is specifically illegal whereas in Italy and several other continental European countries everything is illegal unless you have a permit. for which you must apply to one of several police forces. So you are right - we should go now.
Tony Jones, Grantham, UK
I think that most people realise that the UK Government will eventually capitulate to Brussels. Ms Beckett does not inspire me with confidence. The Europhiles are determined to revive the defeated EU Constitution even if it’s in disguise and the United States of Europe continues it’s relentless, pervasive march like fungus on a branch and the sceptical British public are being forced down a route they never intended.
David Jennings, Portsmouth, Hants, UK
The United Kingdom has 3 options:
1. Become one of the leading nations in a united Europe.
2. Become the 51st of the USA.
3. Stay independent and become meaningless.
I fear it will be number three.
DonDisco, Frankfurt, Germany
Is it just me, but is anyone else fed up with the seemingly self serving Mr Barroso?
Last time round he blamed the failure of the so-called contitution on governments not being able to get their citizens to do the right thing, rather than addressing possibly legitimate conserns.
The EU is basically a good idea. Shares resources across the EU is also a good idea, especially if it can be done in a way that overall saves countries money (that would make a change!)
But Mr Barroso is a perfect example of the kind of tetchy bureaucrat that puts people off the EU completely. Including me, and I am very pro Europe.
Get rid of Barroso and his cronies and bung Blair in his place! Ooh! What an idea ....
Nobody
Nobody, Stony Stratford, Bucks
Mr Barroso, when are you going to get it through your thick head that No means No.
People have already rejected this issue in France and Netherlands and other nations would have also rejected it if the voting had continued.
Now you and your EU cronies try and "sex it" up again and try and bully boy your weight around, puttng deadlines etc in order to put the sweat on.
Go walk the streets of Poland and also the UK ( places I visit on a regular basis) and start to talk about the EU and then you will realise that people do not wish to bow to France and Germany. I suggest Sir that you are like an Ostrich with your head stuck in the ground. Wake up and realise that majority of people in these and other countries do not want your NEW or Old EU constitution.
Peter Andrew, Montreal , Canada
Yes Fausto you're right. Now go and write to Tony Blair
David Kay, Vevey,
Hopefully this is the beginning of the end and Britain will withdraw from the EU which is of practically no benefit whatsoever to Britain and comes at a great cost.
The idea that the president of a jaw-jaw club's threat to the British parliament that not to toe the line would not be in British interests is laughable. Britain is governed by the British, not by some artificial bureaucracy that can't even figure out in what city its parliament sits.
Best just to have done with it.
The Poles probably won't be putting up with it much longer, either.
Jim, Milwaukee, USA
The audacity of Beckett's statement is simply breathtaking. "...the UK was ready to give up its veto in areas where it was in Britain’s interest." When did "the UK," ie the citizens of this country, agree to hand over yet further powers to the faceless institutions of Europe? I am so very glad I have legal right of residence in the US.
Nick Beard, Seattle, USA
Over half the member countries, including Germany, Ireland and Poland, objected to losing the veto on home affairs and crime in December; Holland and France rejected the constitution: the UK is not the only one with some reservations but that fact doesn't imply that we should all leave the EU or that we don't value it and remain committed to it.
claire, London,
It is about time for Britain to leave the EU all together...if you do not want to be part of it why staying? All the UK seems to bring to the debate about the future of the Union is just red lines and vetos...please get out now!!!
Luca, Milano, EU
I hope that Mr. Blair's red lines do not turn pale pink and then vanish like the last lot.
Peter Davis, Reading., Berks.
It will be a stitch-up, whatever anyone says.
Tom Katz, Weybridge, UK
This is an ideal opportunity to create a two tier Europe and leave Britain as just an economic member ,benefiting from the free market.This,after all, is what we were promised by our politicians in the 80s.British peole will overwhelmingly support this, as they value their liberty too much to become even more dominated by a giant ,insensitive,undemocratic bureaucracy ,which is the EU.
If Brown wants to increase his election chances then he better insist that Blair does not"give an inch".
RG James, Brasschaat, Belgium
The drive for an EU Federal State which has dominance over its member countries seems to ignore the fate of empires throughout history. In the end they all crumble as people throughout the world have sought local control of their lives. In the last 60 years the British Empire has been reduced to the commonwealth, the Soviet Bloc has dissolved, Yugoslavia has returned to the nation states that created it and closer to home, both Scotland and Wales have moved closer to devolution. Europe will never be another USA - I wonder why we can't accept that and learn the lessons of history.
Charlie Efford, Thrapston, UK
We need a say on the this revived constitution.
J Seymour, London, England
Perhaps "fausto" of gernika also does not understand why the Basques which to rule themselves without asking permission from Madrid.
Peter Bolt, Redditch, UK
"The title of EU “foreign minister” will be dropped and replaced with a name that does not conflict with the titles of national representatives,"
So they want us to pay a representative for Europe a lot of money to do the job that we're paying our own government officials to do anyway... no thanks. You should spend the money on something worthwhile! Why do we need an EU foreign minister or president in the first place? We should keep individual EU country reps and that is it. Having a president of the EU etc is just daft, there are too many countries with too many differing problems to be represented as one body. Trade, keep the focus on trade, not foreign policy and creating rules for all, or it will fall apart. With the money being sucked away I only give it 50 years unless Switzerland are stupid enough to join and foot the big bill left by the Eastern European countries joining... good move there by the way EU... that was sarcasm...
Graeme, Edinburgh,
Not at all surprised to see the Spanish population desperately wanting the so-called 'amended treaty' to go through - they benefit so much financially, their Government would be ridiculed for even contemnplating reading the Constitution, which this, after all is!
Please, let's not be fooled by Blair's 'Farewell' present' by selling us out through the back door, which is exactly what is happening if we don't do something immediately. Gordon Brown holding up his hands claiming 'it wasn't his fault as it was arranged by the previous head of Government' will never be good enough.
Please realise what is at stake and don't let them get away signing our future away to people who seem to want nothing more than boosting their own individual (not Country's) standing (Merkel - EU Presidency) , Sarkozy (new but must be popular both at home and in Europe so side with majority), (Blair - Legacy?!?!), Prodi (don't get me started!)
Please act, someone, before it is too late!
Lianne, Warminster,
Everyone knows what is going on here: the politicians can fudge, represent or reword but they are once again cobbling together another wobbly floor on a skyscraper with inadequate foundations.
Blair & Brown have only the thinnest of real democratic mandates in their own countries as measured by those who voted for them and their parties.
When all this falls, it will fall big-time.
MarkS, Leeds,
Why not look at the United States? The union of an increasing number of states, peopled by refugees from all over Europe, still today, US federal authority is challenged by the states. Many a question was raised over history ; at one point it was considered that Germany might be the national language, a terrible civil war rent the country 150 years ago, a central bank was introduced etc...the US "nation" was constructed over time, and is still under way. We might look at that, as Europeans, and find inspiration.
Ray Toye, Paris, France
Just when are people in Europe going to wake up to the deception they have been subject to for the last 40 or 50 years, (in fact probably since the end of WW II), namely the move towards a "United States of Europe" which has always been the aim. Can't they see that it will be a move to the lowest common denominator of cultural greyness, let alone the mind-numbing matter of continent-wide bureaucracy?
If they don't see it soon then it will be too late as the politicians just ride over the top of them.
Good on the Poles at present.
Gerry Watts, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
It is a very disputed question in Poland if our government should threaten with veto or not. Lots of Poles think we have to fight for a better position in EU and they strongly support the government. What is more this strategy has support of the majority of the parliamentary opposition. Nevertheless, a part of public opinion as well as the Left accuse the government of leading Poland to isolation in Europe, but It seems to me like Poland is not going to change its tough position. Anyway tomorrow's summit is going to be interesting for sure.
Roma, Kołobrzeg, Poland
I agree with Fausto.
But we are incapable of leaving because our politicians refuse to acknowledge the will of the people. Would you please help by throwing us out?
Tony, Sheffield, England
The essential is that Europe move swiftly towards having a unified foreign policy on the major world issues. The worldwide disasters caused to 'Western' interests by the invasion of Iraq occured because Europe did not speak with one voice.
All European countries have the same basic interests. It is perfectly possible to have a united EU voice in the world even though there are serious disagreements among its members about what form Europe should eventually take.
Mlitary power is no longer the main support for foreign policy. Europe is as important to the direction of world affairs as the US - or China. If 'Western' interests are to forwarded, Europe must cease being the absentee on the world stage.
John Pedler, Sarlat, France
From America, the newly proposed Constitution, for the European Union, just seems like "Old Europe" in the most paleolithic and psychopathic style possible!
It's like Dr. Johnson's dog walking on its hindlegs! It doesn't do it well, but one wonders that it does it at all!
Thomas, Honaker, Virginia
I think that countries that don't want more federation
should not put obstacles to other countries that they want.
to move to this direction .Let's do i like that.That's really
democratic.
VRUSIS NIKOS, Ahens, Greece
I'm glad to see some intelligent debate on the subject of the supposed "European unification", a term that barely manages to cover the fact that what is really intended is turning all of Europe into a unifor mess of mediorcicy.
I'm originally from Germany and I really couldn't stand my friends' blind trust in the authories in Brussels and their belief that no sacrifice is too small for the ideal of unity.
I therefore thank countries like Britain for exercising their right to debate all subjects openly even if conflicts and controversies arise from this debate. This, to me, is the essence of democracy - one of the few values that all Europeans should be encouraged to share.
Christine, Dublin, Ireland
How dare Mr Barroso tell me what is in my best interests. I want a vote on this. Most likely the overwhelming majority of the country would like a vote on what happens in the EU. We are not given that right, we have no say, no voice....the EU is little more than a dictatorship ran from Brussels. It's time for this trampling over out individual rights to stop.
Viv, London, England
Sounds like the anti- democratic bunch still believe that they have the right to treat the voters with contempt. We've already seen the damage that ill-considered European measures such as the Human Rights Convention- a gift to terrorists and criminals and those determined to obtain massive compensation for trifles - can cause. Mrs. Beckett is right in saying that there should have been proper negotiations much earlier this time round - the fact that there was not, and that the anti- voters thought that they could muscle it through on their terms, tells us a great deal about the political make up of Europe and the dictatorial mindset of most of its 'leaders'. We should not let this bunch trample over our freedoms.
Doug, Glasgow,
EU foreign minister eh? We won't call it that we don't want to upset the locals, so we'll take a leaf out of Bliars book on smoke and mirrors. Bliar and co are increasingly becoming an irrelevance we are ruled by unelected bureaucrats.
Rob Bain, Derby,
The behemoth that is the EU continues to try to railroad countries into more and more centralisation and draconian powers to its corrupt self, whilst ignoring the democratic views of its own peoples. (Funny, that sounds like the former Soviet Union! And look what happened to that).
Barroso is being just as hard-nosed as the Poles and Brits and trying to ride roughshod over their legitimate concerns, but he can't see that can he? Self-righteous prig.
Schnacken, København, Denmark
The usual huffing and puffing soundbites from New Labour prior to a cave-in and the gifting of yet more of our self-determination to unaccountable and corrupt EU institutions. Freedom and democracy aren't narrow nationalistic concepts, they are at the centre of our history and culture.
The irony is that as a nation we have been to war with Napoleon, the Kaiser and the Axis Powers in defence of Europe's liberty, only to be told by a 10th-rate nonentity like Barroso that we are not being intelligent in trying to hold on to the political, economic, judicial and military powers that made it possible.
Historians will look back and marvel at how a succession of British governments, with no mandate from the people, could voluntarily give away so much in return for so little, in what must be the greatest political betrayal in history.
Martin, London,
It is all very well for Mr Barroso to stamp his feet and berate governments but he is the one trying to ram a treaty, which has changed little since it was rejected by France and Holland, down our throats.
A sign of things to come when our government gives away our country perhaps?
David Thijm, Stourbridge, UK
The UK joined the EU to stand on the brake of Euopean integration. It should leave the Union so that the rest of Europe can get cracking.
Ilse, Naxar, Malta
God willing, finally, after decades, we get a moment of truth. And again, after just over 65 years, Poland, the first to fight and the United Kingdom united in defiance.
But it is not us that is spoiling for the fight but these allegedly "peace loving" Europeans.
What is intrinsically good about Mr Barroso's "work" that means that national sovereignty needs must be sacrificed?
Christopher Gillibrand, Brussels, "democratic" Belgium/ Europe
These arrogant eurocrats dismiss the results of referenda as irrelevant. They seek the power that a European Constitution (Virtual Federation) will give them. For once I agree with Blair/Brown - but Britons should be given the chance to vote on any Contitutional or "Ammending" Treaty.
Roger Bingham, Lauzun, France
I'm afraid that Fausto is merely the tip of the iceberg. When I voted in favour of Europe years ago it was a vote in favour of furthering our common interests.There was never any question of the institution of a higher pan European sovereign state nor indeed sany indication of the huge scale of unjustified micro-interference currently practised by Brussels.
One furthere thought: no constitution of any kind without a referendum throughout the Union. No national government has been elected with blank cheque approval of a new Union constitution in its' programme.
Andy Carter, Milan, Italy
The United Kingdom has three options:
1. Become one of the leading nations in a united Europe.
2. Become the 51st of the USA.
3. Stay independent and become meaningless.
I fear it will be number 3.
DonDisco, Frankfurt, Germany
Fausto -
When we voted to join the (then) Common Market, those who feared a United States of Europe were explicitly told that there was no such thing, and no such project. What you are saying, in effect, is that we were lied to. The lies have not stopped.
When we signed, we signed up precisely to a free trade area. The one thing that does not seem to happen in the EU is free trade. What does happen is bureaucracy, oligarchy and endless illiberal interference.
Didn't you Spanish have enough of that under Franco?
Michael Bruce, Selby, Yorkshire
I agree Fausto. We should be like Norway or Switzerland – both are fine and pleasant countries -- with excellent national borders. We should also all keep our own national laws; they are nation specific for good historical reasons. We should all be unhindered by EU law, and its related high operational cost (that well known Brussels “gravy train”), and all be free of the burden of over-paying these Euro-bureaucrats. But primarily WITH BORDERS THAT WORK......as in Norway and Switzerland.
Poland sounds a fine place too…….and will remain so, as long as the good Poles in government can resist the manipulations of Frau Merkel et al.
steveh, oxford, England
A constitution by any other name would stink as foul.
Rest assured that in his last EU Hurrah, Bliar will give away whatever is required of him. The Project will be kept on track regardless of inneffectual "red-line" posturing on the part of our Dual PrimeMinistership. They may put some presentational eurospin on it all and change names and titles but they will still get what they want and we will still be the losers. And don`t expect things to be any better under Gordon Brown or David Cameron. At every single one of these meetings the Project has been advanced - this one will be no different.
Once the EU has a legal identity, you may as well turn the Palace of Westminster into a Museum of Politics for all the effectiveness anything done there thereafter will have.
Bryan McCormack, Kilwinning, Ayrshire
When will the European Commission learn that no means no? The reaction to France voting against the new constitution was the same - they tried to tell the French they were wrong and to ignore the objections. It is time they showed some respect for what their "citizens" actually want.
Olly, Aquitaine, France
There are two completely different positions which the journalist have confused.
There is the original treaty which certain politicians have rejected.
There is a shortened treaty which certain politicians have now proposed.
The shortened treaty contains nothing, which has not already been agreed.
So it should be simply to agree it, for it needs no vote, no referendum for the contents have already been accepted.
So what game is it that the Government of Great Britain plays.
These Scotish mp's who represent no one but themselves?
alan Morgan, Merifons, France
I have no doubt that Blair will do his best to sign away more powers. We have not been told what the "red lines" are. I would like to bet that this is just more spin for home consumption. The only use for our parliament will be to gilt edge European rules!
Roger Parkes, Tunbridge Wells, England
Who is taken in by this drivel? These self aggrandizing Eurocrats do not even try to hide what they are doing - they just deny it or go for a change of name: EXAMPLES(1) "The title of EU “foreign minister” will be dropped ...although the job will remain". (2)"..the EU constitutional aim of stating the primacy of Union law by instead making it a “declaration”". It is an insult to anyone's intelligence and I am shocked that your reporter writes this drivel and presents it to us straight faced. Is he also part of the Commission? What does Barroso's threat ".It is not in the interest of any member state to be in a position that is seen as hard- liner." mean? No minister in a democracy should be able to threaten his constituents - far less the President of a Commission speaking to a member country and specially a Commission that cannot get its accounts past the auditors for years on end. A company in such a state would long since have been liquidated.We deserve this if we stand for it!
Amin Aswet, Gibraltar,
I think the EU is an abominable political structure. Nation-states should have the right to pursue their own strategic interests, insofar as their interests do not infringe upon the human rights of other nation states. There is nothing wrong with this healthy sense of nationalism. I think Great Britain and Poland, and all of the EU states should stand firm in asserting their sovereignity. The EU can function as a confederation of states rather than having a strong, centralised government that exerts power and control over its member-states through coersion and covert threats.
Thomas Lane, Rockaway, USA
I agree with fausto when he asks why we remain in the EU. I feel confident when i say that the majority of British people do not want to remain in the EU as it is undemocratic and costs us billions. Our borders are wide open and we are number 1 destination for most Eastern European workers (not to mention criminals). We could continue trading with the EU and with anyone else we pleased. Unfortunately this government, and probably the Tories also, do not care what the British people want and therefore will not give us a Referendum on whether we stay or leave. Of course they know what the answer would be. Being politicians they are arrogant enough to think that they know best, and lets not forget where most failed politicians end up. Yep, on the gravy train to Brussels. We also know that Tony Blair will back down and red lines will be crossed, this is all just a charade. He has to be a good little European in order to achieve his ultimate dream: EU President.
Victoria, London, England
I reply to your resident libertatian Marxist who finds himself in the same camp as the Euroskeptics(from today's avantgo edition): the EU can be can be likened to a school full of lovely children all with differing personalities. To allow teachers the joy of teaching their discipline a set of rules is needed. Just so everyone is able to enjoy school. And needless to say many pupils question and even claim to dislike the rules. Likewise with the EU. Without european standards the old continent would not be what is is to-day.Look at Asia. Japan and China recently had their first meeting in 6 years. North Korea plays ichy & scratchy with everyone else -imagine what East Germany could have become- No, the EU isn't perfect but I trust Sarco & Zappo when they call for greater integration. Lets hope Britain doesn't let herself down and the Union down.
wxyz, Southport,
I agree with Fausto.
Unfortunately we can't do that because our politicians all refuse to acknowledge the wishes of the people. Can you please help by throwing us out?
Tony, Sheffield, England
Hooray, a truly pleasing report from Brussels.
Perhaps at long last the MPs at Westminster are beginning to feel redundant.
The rest of us know exactly what happens when are jobs can be done elsewhere.
Peter Bolt, Redditch, UK
Good idea. Having access to the Euro area markeplace through a trade pact, and eschewing all this other integration nonsense would be idyllic.
Angus, London,
Apart from Maggie's Refund it is traditional that the UK loses all its battles with the EU - and this one sadly won't be any different. The "concessions" to the UK will be to have an EU Foreign Minister but to call him something else and to have a constitution and call it a "Treaty". Big deal. Even a village idiot could see the worthlessness of such "concessions".
Paul Holden, Northampton,
Great! Let's create the Club of the Independant European Nations with yearly renewable membership! Forget the EU!
All my encouragments for Blair- Brown on Thursday Stick to your red lines Many citizens on the continent silently wish their own governments had the guts to stand so firmly for their national sovereignty
Sorry for the mistakes with my english
Marc, Paris, France
The essential is that Europe move swiftly towards having a unified foreign policy on the major world issues. The worldwide disasters caused to 'Western' interests by the invasion of Iraq occured because Europe did not speak with one voice.
All European countries have the same basic interests. It is perfectly possible to have a united EU voice in the world even though there are serious disagreements among its members about what form Europe should eventually take.
Mlitary power is no longer the main support for foreign policy. Europe is as important to the direction of world affairs as the US - or China. If 'Western' interests are to forwarded, Europe must cease being the absentee on the world stage.
John Pedler, Sarlat, France
De Gaulle was right to prevent Britain joining the EU
Blair European President ? what a laugh !!!
Massias, Casablanca, Morocco
The whole thing is an erosion of the strength of british law fort british subjects. The fact that it continues with minimal public outcry and almost no resistance is truly worrying. I'd love to see the whole proceeding strangled by thick red lines, so once again the constitution (by any orther name) is shelved. Then, when we finally have a strong leader in charge, the issue may be resolved in Englands favour. Or removed from the European agenda for good.
Long live vetos.
Long live rebates.
Bring back the EEC.
andrew, london, uk
So it's business as usual, a highly undemocratic sliding of more UK powers under the counter to this bunch of bureaucrats. Apart from the mantra 'the EU prevented more war in Europe' (patently a lie, it was NATO that preserved Western Europe from attack by the USSR) what is the benefit to the UK of this massively expensive membership of such an anti-third world trading bloc? We need to get out from this outdated suffocating management structure. We all like European culture, food, churches, galleries, literature - those positive aspects of our common life, we do not like being managed by this set of weird control freaks always after more and more from their client states.
Burke, Abingdon, UK
Actually, Fausto, like everyone else in the UK who voted last century, I voted for an economic community, not the social and bureaucratic monster that the eu has become.
Joe public does not want the european community to increase its powers and interference. That is why the French, wisely, voted non, as did the Dutch, and as would most "europeans" if given the chance. The UK opted out of the euro - sound move - but we still believe that the economic community is a good idea.
I get the impression that our politicians have understood that there are limits to be respected....
grindles, London, england
I completely agree. The point of being in the European Union is to work together and agree of common ideals, not to let individual countries like the UK have vetoes. Us British need to stop being so Eurosceptic and paranoid about the EU - no one is out there to ruin things for the people, just to make things better.These 'red lines' are just holding back Europe as a whole, not making things better for the UK. In for a cent, in for a euro.
Oliver Harrison, Weymouth, United Kingdom, European Union
Isn't it about time that all the facts about our EU membership were put to the vote via a referendum to see whether we as a country want to be in the EU at all.
More and more people seem to want to be outside of Europe in this country, but the fact is that most people haven't got a clue what the EU means to us on a day to day basis.
Nick, Bedford,
i can´t really understand the reason this country remains as a EU state. if you´re so pride to keep your law unaltered by the Union law or to block every measure aimed to achieve further integration and ,in fact, everything that "comes from Brussels" what you´re doing in the EU?... maybe, you should sign a Free Trade Agreement- like Norge or Switzerland- and stop frustrating the goals of those who would like to see a united Europe.
fausto, gernika, the basque country