Minister defends EU presidency record
Europe minister Alexander Douglas was forced to defend Britain’s presidency of the EU yesterday after a senior diplomat accused it taking “very little” action.
Former French president Valery Giscard D’Estaing said Tony Blair’s government had failed to deliver the dynamism expected of it, suggesting it had been too preoccupied with dealing with the aftermath of the July 7th bombings in London.
Mr D’Estaing, the architect of the rejected EU constitution, blamed the structure of the rotating presidency as governments often had to manage both the EU agenda and the domestic issues simultaneously.
“We are now at the end of September. What was the contribution of the British presidency up to now? Practically very little,” he said.
However, Mr Douglas insisted the British presidency was focused more on the broad debate on the future of the trading bloc rather than discussions on particular institutions given the rejection of the draft EU treaty.
“On the future of Europe, the prime minister was very clear that the right response was not to have further institutional discussions at this stage, but actually to have a broader debate about the future of Europe,” he said.
This debate would be “taken forward” at the informal summit of EU leaders taking place in Britain next month, he said, adding that a “huge amount of work” was underway to prepare for an effective meeting.
Mr Douglas also said Britain’s approach to negotiations on the EU budget was right, arguing winning bilateral deals was the more sensible approach.
“We have been clear right the way through the presidency that if we are able to secure a deal on future financing, that is exactly what we will do,” he said.
“The right place at which that deal would be done, if we were able to do it, would be at the December summit of the EU.”
Shadow Europe minister Graham Brady welcomed the emphasis on next month’s summit, saying it was a “rare chance” for Britain to set the agenda.
The government has so far “failed to do the proper paperwork” and must now, half way through its six-month presidency, “get a grip” and show true leadership in Europe, he said.
“It all starts with fine words and promises and then nothing happens. The sad story of the British presidency is one of an historic missed opportunity,” Mr Brady added.
