Thursday

28th Mar 2024

Blair government to accept EU foreign minister

In a dramatic change of strategy the UK is set to agree plans for an EU foreign minister in an attempt to fence-off integration moves on other key issues such as taxation.

According to a report in the Independent, the UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has ordered his foreign minister, Jack Straw, to adopt a more conciliatory position on all but a handful of 'no-go' areas.

Read and decide

Join EUobserver today

Get the EU news that really matters

Instant access to all articles — and 20 years of archives. 14-day free trial.

... or subscribe as a group

Tax, social security and defence are seen as so-called ‘red line’ issues where London must retain control.

The move may also see the UK agreeing to scrap the national veto in all but the most sensitive areas.

It is also likely to spark a fresh debate on the acceptance of majority voting in the area of foreign policy, a move that proponents say would significantly speed up the Union’s ability to react to world events.

Mr Straw and Peter Hain, the government’s representative on the Convention, have been accused of playing into the hands of Euro-sceptics by making there opposition known to every amendment, no matter the importance.

Following this month’s euro announcement - widely regarded as a fudge - and Mr Blair’s decision not to promote the Europe Minister to a cabinet position, the prime minister is keen to stress his euro credentials.

US officials exempted from Belgian law

Belgium has modified the controversial law on universal competence, so that US officials can no longer be hounded by its legislation.

US and EU breaking taboos to restrain Israel

The US abstained and all EU states on the UN Security Council backed a call for an "immediate ceasefire" in Gaza, as Europe prepares to also blacklist extremist Israeli settlers.

EU warns Russia over Moscow terror attacks

Europe has warned Russia not to use the weekend's terror attacks in Moscow as a pretext to escalate its war in Ukraine and crackdown on internal dissent.

EU summit risks failing Gaza once again, Ireland warns

Austrians and Czechs might block an EU statement calling for an Israeli ceasefire, Ireland warned, as leaders met in Brussels amid starvation in Gaza. Israel's conduct of the war meant it had "squandered the support they had", Leo Varadkar said.

Opinion

Why UK-EU defence and security deal may be difficult

Rather than assuming a pro-European Labour government in London will automatically open doors in Brussels, the Labour party needs to consider what it may be able to offer to incentivise EU leaders to factor the UK into their defence thinking.

Latest News

  1. "Swiftly dial back" interest rates, ECB told
  2. Moscow's terror attack, security and Gaza
  3. Why UK-EU defence and security deal may be difficult
  4. EU unveils plan to create a European cross-border degree
  5. How migrants risk becoming drug addicts along Balkan route
  6. 2024: A Space Odyssey — why the galaxy needs regulating
  7. Syrian mayor in Germany speaks out against AfD
  8. Asian workers pay price for EU ship recycling

Stakeholders' Highlights

  1. Nordic Council of MinistersJoin the Nordic Food Systems Takeover at COP28
  2. Nordic Council of MinistersHow women and men are affected differently by climate policy
  3. Nordic Council of MinistersArtist Jessie Kleemann at Nordic pavilion during UN climate summit COP28
  4. Nordic Council of MinistersCOP28: Gathering Nordic and global experts to put food and health on the agenda
  5. Friedrich Naumann FoundationPoems of Liberty – Call for Submission “Human Rights in Inhume War”: 250€ honorary fee for selected poems
  6. World BankWorld Bank report: How to create a future where the rewards of technology benefit all levels of society?

Join EUobserver

EU news that matters

Join us