Brussels, 20/04/2007 (Agence Europe) - Tony Blair, Prime Minister of Britain, is calling for a rapid agreement at the European Council of 21-22 June in Brussels, where he will make his last European appearance before he leaves office, on the “key elements” of the future EU treaty. As it will be an “amending treaty” and not a “constitutional treaty”, it will not require a referendum in the United Kingdom, Blair confirmed on Thursday during an interview in London with a number of European daily newspapers. It would be “reasonable” for the EU heads of state and government to reach an agreement in June on the “basic principles” and “parameters” of the future treaty as well as on a roadmap for its adoption, so that at the end of German presidency one might say: “Well, this is the basic outline agreement for a new treaty”. The details of this treaty could be negotiated during an intergovernmental conference (IGC) that would be rapidly convened, no doubt still under Portuguese EU presidency during the second half of 2007, Blair said, refusing to give details on the British position in such talks. He nonetheless stressed that his country was in favour of qualified majority vote “in several economic and social areas”, but pointed out that it is “not always essential to change the voting rules in order to take action” (he mainly cited immigration, energy and the environment).
Mr Blair was also asked about the United Kingdom's membership of the eurozone. When does the country plan to join? “I don't know”, he answered, saying that it will be as he has always said - when the right economic conditions have been met. In his view, he continued, it is not a political question but an exclusively economic issue. During his ten years as head of government, the right conditions for eurozone membership have not come about. Blair categorically ruled out the possibility of one day becoming a standing president of the European Council (as foreseen by the Constitutional Treaty). He also defended his progress on Europe to date and said that his likely successor, Gordon Brown, is “pro-European”, “pro-reform” and “wants change in Europe”.
Angela Merkel welcomed Tony Blair's comments. Blair will be in Berlin for talks with the president-in-office of the European Council on 24 April. Britain's ambition to rapidly move forward with talks should encourage other “sceptical” countries to follow suit, a spokesman from the German government said on Friday. On Monday, two “sherpas” for Angela Merkel will begin consultation with a view to preparing the summit. (hb)