Brussels, 21/02/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 21 February at the end of his first visit to the European Commission in Brussels as head of government, Gordon Brown announced that “the EU is essential for the success of the UK, the UK is essential for the success of the EU”. During a joint press conference with José Manuel Barroso, the president of the European Commission, Mr Brown declared that the United Kingdom was at the centre of European cooperation and would remain “fully engaged”.
Quoting a key passage of his first European speech made on 14 January in London (EUROPE 9579), Mr Brown said that in these times of economic uncertainty no-one should question the stability of the United Kingdom's relations with Europe or even its belonging to the European Union. The prime minister does not think that his country has lost influence in Europe due to its multiple opt-outs that put it on the sidelines of Community polices as important as the single currency (Euro), external border management (Schengen) or police and legal cooperation. He affirmed: “No, we are right in the centre of Europe: on economic reforms, on climate change, on the fight against terror and organised crime…on all these major issues affecting Europe and its role in the world, we are right in the centre of the agenda, pushing for an open, flexible and dynamic Europe in a globalised world”.
Mr Brown again defended his decision not to organise a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty and pointed out that his support for Tony Blair as the future permanent president of the European Council was “well known”. Asked about the possible candidacy of Mr Barroso for a second mandate as the head of the Commission, Brown would only comment that Barroso was a “personal friend” and was doing a “brilliant job”.
The head of the British government, who also met on Thursday with several European Commissioners, welcomed the fact that the Lisbon Treaty had put an end to at least a decade of EU institutional reforms. He averred that this ought to enable the EU to concentrate its efforts on key economic and political reforms that meet the expectations of citizens and allow the Union to play its role in globalisation.
Gordon Brown said that the EU had to set itself four “major goals”:
1) Speed up economic reforms to help European companies and citizens be more competitive. London fully supports the Commission's proposals to create “effective and competitive” energy markets and further open up the telecommunications market. The United Kingdom also supports completion of the internal market and eagerly awaits the Commission's proposals expected next June on the “Small Business Act” for Europe.
2) Fight against climate change and sustainable development. Europe “must lead the way” said Mr Brown in this area. He also said: “We can be more ambitious on technologies and expanding the carbon market in the future”. The United Kingdom also supports the implementation of an independent carbon market bank and the creation of 10-12 demonstration plants for carbon capture and storage, as well as the setting up of a multilateral fund at the World Bank for funding investment in this area.
3) Fight against world poverty. Brown said at the June European Council that the EU should define its projects in this area and adopt an action plan to allow the EU and its member states to reach the Millennium Development Objectives.
4) Budget reform. Without adding further clarification, Brown asked the EU to refocus on the future challenges in an effort to increase spending targets.
José Manuel Barroso was keen to thank Mr Brown at a press conference, for his personal support in several dossiers the Commission holds dear, such as the promotion of a “Europe of Results”, energy and environmental policies, and an internal market review. (H.B.)