British foreign secretary calls for strong Britain in strong Europe

British Foreign Secretary David Miliband on Monday called for a strong Britain in a strong Europe.

Miliband made a speech at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), saying that to be frightened of European foreign policy is blinkered, fatalistic and wrong. Britain should embrace it, shape it and lead it.

He said "I believe it is clearer than ever that the EU magnifies British influence in the world, rather than threatens it. In everything from trade negotiations to the training of the Afghan police to sanctions on Iran or the greening of our economies, the EU helps us achieve our foreign policy ambitions."

Miliband said "I think that the choice for Britain is also simply stated: we can lead a strong European foreign policy or -- lost in hubris, nostalgia or xenophobia -- watch our influence in the world wane."

The foreign secretary also said "our European alliance is unlike any other. We share sovereignty in key areas. We cooperate across the full range of policy issues. And Europe is our continent. The idea that Britain can maintain its influence in Beijing or Washington or Delhi or Moscow if we marginalize ourselves in Europe is frankly fanciful. In fact I would say the opposite; through leadership in Europe we augment our bilateral ties with other countries."

He said the Lisbon Treaty provides the opportunity and responsibility to rethink and redefine the EU's external action. The principles, the framework and the policy decisions will still be decided by unanimity, so every country retains its veto.

"What Lisbon does do is to create the right vehicles for us to implement a serious common policy where countries decide to do so. It strips out duplication, by creating a High Representative representing both the External Relations Council of nation states and the commission. It ensures continuity and consistency by providing for strong leadership through a president of the European Council in office for up to five years," he added.

Miliband said "To my mind, these are self-evidently sensible, pragmatic, reforms."

Source: Xinhua