Brussels, 14/01/2008 (Agence Europe) - In his first major European speech since his arrival at Number 10 Downing Street, the British prime minister, Gordon Brown, affirmed on Monday 14 January, that the United Kingdom's place is and would remain within the European Union. He also said, however, that the Union had to speed up and deepen its economic and structural reforms if it wanted to remain competitive and play a role on the international scene. At a time when certain pundits are finally hoping for an end to the fundamental debate in the United Kingdom on the place and role of the country in the European integration project (these appeals multiplied during and after the negotiations on the Lisbon Treaty when London was able to obtain many important derogations in key sectors), the prime minister outlined his country's intention to remain “fully engaged” in the EU, on the front line for pushing forward economic reforms.
Addressing business leaders in London, Mr Brown affirmed: “European Union membership is good for Britain and British membership is good for Europe”. Tony Blair's successor explained, “At this time of global economic uncertainty, we should not be throwing into question, as some would, the stability of our relationship with Europe and even our future membership of the EU. Indeed, I strongly believe that rather than retreating to the sidelines we must remain fully engaged in Europe so we can push forward the reforms that are essential for Europe's and Britain's economic success”.
During his speech, the prime minister at no moment left any doubts about his vision of European integration mainly being about economics, even if he did describe EU enlargement to the East (considered above all as a political project) as “perhaps Europe's greatest achievement”. Brown asserted: “My vision of Europe moving forward is global Europe….not just as an internal single market that looks inwards but a driving force of the new fast-changing global market place. An open, outward looking, flexible global Europe competing on, and prosperous because of, its skills, its innovation and its creative talents”. The British prime minister explained that by following this approach, Europe could go beyond its “original objective of preservation of peace” to improve opportunities and increase prosperity, “not just for some, but for all”.
Following institutional reform and the adoption of the Treaty of Lisbon, the EU now has to focus its efforts on “what matters most to Europe's citizens”, namely, stability, economic growth and job creation. Brown welcomes, in this context, the policy propounded by José Manuel Barroso, the head of the Commission. Brown averred that Barroso had understood the “absolute priority” of the EU providing a boost to the competitiveness of the European economy. Mr Brown said that the Lisbon Strategy would not, however, be enough to attain this aim because it had been written when “our” challenge was to compete with the only economic power in the world at the time, the US, before the emergence of other powers, such as India and China. The British prime minister warned that they should speed up reforms, and proposed a number of ways to take action:
Modernise the internal market. He stated: “We have still a long way to go to secure for business and consumers the full benefits in commercial opportunities and lower prices”. The United Kingdom would monitor correct application of the services directive (from 2010) and promote genuine liberalisation of the energy, postal services, transport and telecommunications markets.
Encourage innovation, reduce the cost of regulation. The prime minister welcomed the European Council's historic commitment to a reduction in administrative charges of 25% by 2012, a charge that weighed heavily on the world of business and European citizens alike. London will be insisting on full respect of this decision and will work towards increasing spending on research and innovation (the aim is to get to 3% of GNP, repeated Mr Brown).
Make labour market more flexible and dynamic. The British prime minister declared that they needed an “active and dynamic” employment policy.
Intensify cooperation in the environment. He explained that there was no national response to climate change or other environmental problems, and the only way ahead was therefore a unified European approach which “can make the difference”.
Mr Brown also appealed for an increased EU role in reform of the international institutions, particularly the IMF, World Bank and UN Security Council. He said that the latter had to be “more representative, more credible and more engaged”. (H.B.)