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19/05/2003
Enlargement will 'strengthen' EU partnership
Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has said that EU enlargement will "strengthen" its capacity to promote order and prosperity.
Mr Straw said that an enlarged EU would recover from recent divisions, adding that the enlargement would "embed the values of liberal democracy across the continent".
Commenting on proposals to establish an institutional framework to cope with the 25 sovereign countries, the Foreign Secretary said: "We and our European partners are not about to agree to the sacrifice of national civilisations nor the imposition of central control. The reality is more prosaic. It is about making an enlarged EU more efficient and open."
He added that he thought it "absurd" to suggest that an enlarged Europe will be a tyranny when the wider Europe has been built on "tyranny's defeat".
"The British public deserves a higher level of debate than this, and we will do all we can to make sure the debates and arguments ahead - will respect the public's intelligence."
The Foreign Secretary said that there should not be a referendum on the Convention as no final decisions had been taken, and although significant reforms were likely the decisions would not compromise national sovereignty.
He said that to enhance Europe's global reach the Common Foreign and Security Policy should be strengthened to focus on the areas where it can have greatest impact. "The EU should summon the will to back its commitment to collective security with military muscle," he said.
He identified global terrorism, the supposed spread of weapons of mass destruction and economic injustice as grave new threats to the security and prosperity of the continent.
Mr Straw also stressed the importance of Europe's partnership with the US, saying that few Europeans today want their countries to make a choice between the US or the EU.
"They want both. Because they recognise that when the US and Europe are united, there is no more powerful force for good in the world."
(GMcG)
Mr Straw said that an enlarged EU would recover from recent divisions, adding that the enlargement would "embed the values of liberal democracy across the continent".
Commenting on proposals to establish an institutional framework to cope with the 25 sovereign countries, the Foreign Secretary said: "We and our European partners are not about to agree to the sacrifice of national civilisations nor the imposition of central control. The reality is more prosaic. It is about making an enlarged EU more efficient and open."
He added that he thought it "absurd" to suggest that an enlarged Europe will be a tyranny when the wider Europe has been built on "tyranny's defeat".
"The British public deserves a higher level of debate than this, and we will do all we can to make sure the debates and arguments ahead - will respect the public's intelligence."
The Foreign Secretary said that there should not be a referendum on the Convention as no final decisions had been taken, and although significant reforms were likely the decisions would not compromise national sovereignty.
He said that to enhance Europe's global reach the Common Foreign and Security Policy should be strengthened to focus on the areas where it can have greatest impact. "The EU should summon the will to back its commitment to collective security with military muscle," he said.
He identified global terrorism, the supposed spread of weapons of mass destruction and economic injustice as grave new threats to the security and prosperity of the continent.
Mr Straw also stressed the importance of Europe's partnership with the US, saying that few Europeans today want their countries to make a choice between the US or the EU.
"They want both. Because they recognise that when the US and Europe are united, there is no more powerful force for good in the world."
(GMcG)
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19 April 2004
Blair welcomes EU expansion
The legacy of the Second World War and the Cold War will be erased when the EU expands to 25 countries on 1 May, the Prime Minister said today. Speaking 12 days before the accession to the EU of 10 new member states, Mr Blair said the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development played a "vital role" in the process.
Blair welcomes EU expansion
The legacy of the Second World War and the Cold War will be erased when the EU expands to 25 countries on 1 May, the Prime Minister said today. Speaking 12 days before the accession to the EU of 10 new member states, Mr Blair said the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development played a "vital role" in the process.
26 January 2005
Foreign Secretary urges Britain to say 'Yes' to EU treaty
Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, has urged the British public to approve the new EU Constitutional Treaty. The government have published a Bill to make the new treaty part of UK law, subject to the British people voting 'yes' in a referendum.
Foreign Secretary urges Britain to say 'Yes' to EU treaty
Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, has urged the British public to approve the new EU Constitutional Treaty. The government have published a Bill to make the new treaty part of UK law, subject to the British people voting 'yes' in a referendum.
19 June 2007
Migrant workers 'benefit UK economy'
The British economy is benefiting from the influx of migrant workers to the UK, a TUC study has claimed. The TUC said that immigrants were paying more in taxes than the value of the public services they receive. The union also claimed that the arrival of migrant workers has not depressed jobs or wages.
Migrant workers 'benefit UK economy'
The British economy is benefiting from the influx of migrant workers to the UK, a TUC study has claimed. The TUC said that immigrants were paying more in taxes than the value of the public services they receive. The union also claimed that the arrival of migrant workers has not depressed jobs or wages.
28 May 2003
Labour defends its position on European Convention
Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said today that a new European constitution would "not significantly change" the relationship between the EU and its member nations, adding that it would be another year until the final version is finalised.
Labour defends its position on European Convention
Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said today that a new European constitution would "not significantly change" the relationship between the EU and its member nations, adding that it would be another year until the final version is finalised.
31 August 2004
EU enlargement has not led to British businesses relocating: survey
The predicted relocation of British businesses to Eastern Europe following the expansion of the European Union has failed to materialise, according to the Institute of Directors (IoD).
EU enlargement has not led to British businesses relocating: survey
The predicted relocation of British businesses to Eastern Europe following the expansion of the European Union has failed to materialise, according to the Institute of Directors (IoD).
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