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10/06/2005
Blair calls for review of EU funding
Prime Minister Tony Blair has said he will not accept a reduction in Britain’s annual £3bn rebate from the European Union unless there is a debate about all EU funding.
Speaking as he met with the President of the European Parliament, Mr Blair said: “If you have a fundamental review of how Europe spends its money, then of course everything is open to debate. What is not open to debate is a situation where you go back to Britain being penalised.”
The row over the UK’s rebate ignited yesterday, when French President Jacques Chirac called for Britain to accept a reduced rebate from the European Union. Mr Chirac said that the UK should make a “gesture of solidarity” with other EU nations by re-negotiating the amount, which was first secured by Margaret Thatcher.
However, speaking at Downing Street last night, Mr Blair said: “First of all, Britain has been making a gesture, because over the past 10 years, even with the British rebate, we have been making a contribution to Europe two and a half times that of France.
“Without the rebate, it would have been fifteen times as much as France, so that is our gesture. And the reason why the rebate exists is because otherwise there would be this quite unfair proportion of British contribution.”
Mr Blair highlighted Europe’s common agricultural policy, which uses 40% of the EU budget, and only covers 5% of the population.
Chancellor Gordon Brown has supported the Prime Minister’s comments, telling BBC Radio 4’s ‘Today’ programme that the rebate was “not up for negotiation” and that the UK was prepared to use its veto if necessary.
Former European commissioner Neil Kinnock also supported Mr Blair’s decision. He said: “The best way to assist the poorer countries in the European Union is to profoundly and fundamentally change the Common Agricultural Policy.”
However, Shadow Chancellor George Osbourne said it was “not good enough” for Mr Blair to say that he would not negotiate away the rebate. He said: “What he needs to say is that he will not diminish its value in any way and that there will be concessions and no fudging. The British taxpayer already pays enough to Europe. They must not pay any more.”
(KMcA/SP)
Speaking as he met with the President of the European Parliament, Mr Blair said: “If you have a fundamental review of how Europe spends its money, then of course everything is open to debate. What is not open to debate is a situation where you go back to Britain being penalised.”
The row over the UK’s rebate ignited yesterday, when French President Jacques Chirac called for Britain to accept a reduced rebate from the European Union. Mr Chirac said that the UK should make a “gesture of solidarity” with other EU nations by re-negotiating the amount, which was first secured by Margaret Thatcher.
However, speaking at Downing Street last night, Mr Blair said: “First of all, Britain has been making a gesture, because over the past 10 years, even with the British rebate, we have been making a contribution to Europe two and a half times that of France.
“Without the rebate, it would have been fifteen times as much as France, so that is our gesture. And the reason why the rebate exists is because otherwise there would be this quite unfair proportion of British contribution.”
Mr Blair highlighted Europe’s common agricultural policy, which uses 40% of the EU budget, and only covers 5% of the population.
Chancellor Gordon Brown has supported the Prime Minister’s comments, telling BBC Radio 4’s ‘Today’ programme that the rebate was “not up for negotiation” and that the UK was prepared to use its veto if necessary.
Former European commissioner Neil Kinnock also supported Mr Blair’s decision. He said: “The best way to assist the poorer countries in the European Union is to profoundly and fundamentally change the Common Agricultural Policy.”
However, Shadow Chancellor George Osbourne said it was “not good enough” for Mr Blair to say that he would not negotiate away the rebate. He said: “What he needs to say is that he will not diminish its value in any way and that there will be concessions and no fudging. The British taxpayer already pays enough to Europe. They must not pay any more.”
(KMcA/SP)
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14 June 2005
Blair rejects proposed rebate freeze
A formal plan to freeze Britain’s £3 billion European Union rebate has been firmly rejected by Prime Minister Tony Blair. Mr Blair rejected the proposal, which was put forward during his meeting with Luxembourg Prime Minister and current EU President Jean-Claude Juncker this morning.
Blair rejects proposed rebate freeze
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20 June 2005
Blair – EU budget ‘not right’ for Britain
Prime Minister Tony Blair has told MPs that the EU budget deal offered at last week’s European summit was “not right for Britain”.
Blair – EU budget ‘not right’ for Britain
Prime Minister Tony Blair has told MPs that the EU budget deal offered at last week’s European summit was “not right for Britain”.
17 June 2005
Blair and Chirac deadlocked over EU budget
A decision on the European Union budget is looking increasingly unlikely as Prime Minister Tony Blair and French President Jacques Chirac continue to hold firm on their stances on Britain’s rebate at the European Summit in Brussels.
Blair and Chirac deadlocked over EU budget
A decision on the European Union budget is looking increasingly unlikely as Prime Minister Tony Blair and French President Jacques Chirac continue to hold firm on their stances on Britain’s rebate at the European Summit in Brussels.
13 June 2005
Blair to remain “firm” EU rebate
Prime Minister Tony Blair has said that he will be “diplomatic but firm” with European leaders over the issue of the UK’s European Union rebate. The Prime Minister, who was in Moscow for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, was speaking ahead of the forthcoming European summit, which takes place in Brussels on June 16 and 17.
Blair to remain “firm” EU rebate
Prime Minister Tony Blair has said that he will be “diplomatic but firm” with European leaders over the issue of the UK’s European Union rebate. The Prime Minister, who was in Moscow for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, was speaking ahead of the forthcoming European summit, which takes place in Brussels on June 16 and 17.
23 June 2005
Europe in ‘profound debate’ on future, says Blair
Prime Minister Tony Blair has warned that Europe is “in the midst of a profound debate” on its future. Mr Blair made his comments during a speech to Euro MPs as he outlined plans for Britain’s presidency of the European Union. The Prime Minister said that a united Europe, working together was “essential” for the European nations to remain strong.
Europe in ‘profound debate’ on future, says Blair
Prime Minister Tony Blair has warned that Europe is “in the midst of a profound debate” on its future. Mr Blair made his comments during a speech to Euro MPs as he outlined plans for Britain’s presidency of the European Union. The Prime Minister said that a united Europe, working together was “essential” for the European nations to remain strong.
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