[A-List] EU integration struggles: UK intervention

["Michael Keaney" <michael.keaney@xxxxxx>]

Blair calls for EU to be given more power but plays down fears of
'superstate'
By Andrew Grice, Political Editor
The Independent, 27 November 2002

Tony Blair will call tomorrow for the European Union to take on more powers
to become a bigger force on the world stage, but will insist this does not
entail a federal superstate.

In what aides describe as a landmark pro-European speech, the Prime Minister
will argue that more majority voting will be needed to prevent gridlock in
decision-making when the 15-nation bloc admits 10 new members in 2004.

Mr Blair will say Europe is at a crossroads as he sets out Britain's goals
for the Convention, chaired by the former French President Valéry Giscard
D'Estaing, which is drawing up a blueprint for the EU.

The Prime Minister's theme will be that the EU should take on a bigger role
by being "democratised rather than centralised". He will say that the way to
ensure democratic legitimacy is not to hand more power to Brussels but to
increase the role of the European Council, which is composed of the leaders
of the 15 EU members, and the Council of Ministers, which includes ministers
from the member states.

The EU should not be seen as an alternative to nation states, but a way of
enhancing the issues that countries handle themselves which can be done
better by working together, he will say.

Mr Blair will call for the appointment of a powerful President of the
European Council, who would become the EU's figurehead on the world stage
and implement the decisions taken by the 15 leaders. He or she would, in
effect, replace the current system of "musical chairs" where one country
holds the rotating Presidency for six months.

After criticism of the plan by smaller EU countries, Mr Blair will insist
that Britain is not trying to downgrade the European Commission or the
European Parliament, saying Britain wants them to be strong and effective.
For example, the Commission should have more powers to crack down on member
states which do not obey the rules of the EU club.

A government source said: "We accept the need for greater integration and
for Europe to do more through shared sovereignty. But the power must be
rooted in the democratic institutions of the member states, so there is
accountability through national governments and parliaments." Britain wants
national MPs to play a bigger role in the EU, for example by ensuring
decisions best taken by member states are devolved downwards while those
best taken at a European level are passed upwards.

The Prime Minister will say that the governing treaty to be agreed in two
years should extend majority voting to prevent the EU grinding to a halt.The
veto would still apply to a number of crucial areas such as taxation,
declaring war and amending treaties.

Although Mr Blair is not expected to address in detail the issue of the
single currency, his pro-EU stance will cheer supporters of early British
entry. The Prime Minister is said by aides to be determined to call a
referendum before the next general election.