Brussels, 10/05/2007 (Agence Europe) - The British prime minister, Tony Blair, who announced on Thursday that he would be stepping down on 27 June this year (to be succeeded most probably by Gordon Brown) has managed to place the United Kingdom in the European Union mainstream, said José Manuel Barroso, European Commission President, on Thursday. “He has brought to Europe energy, engagement and ideas”, Barroso said, stressing Blair's commitment in favour of enlargement, energy policy, the fight against climate change and the fight against poverty in Africa. “Above all, he has shared in our determination to create an open, reforming and strong Europe”, he said.
The leader of the ALDE Group at the European Parliament, Graham Watson of Britain, is less tender towards the outgoing head of government, saying: “Tony Blair is the UK's most pro-European Prime Minister since Edward Heath. Yet his record in the EU is more comparable to that of John Major. Blair should have made more of his term in office to win the argument for Europe in the UK”. (hb)