11 October 2007
Gordon Brown has insisted that British interests will be safeguarded when EU leaders meet in Lisbon next week.
Speaking at a joint press conference with EU President Jose Manuel Barroso, the Prime Minister said that the UK had succeeded in having its "red-lines" written into the text of the EU amending treaty. Opt-outs and vetoes relating to matters such as national security, foreign policy and social security payments would be present "in the detail" of the document to be considered at the EU Summit on 18 October, he said.
- Read the press conference
- Watch the press conference on the Downing Street YouTube channel (new window)
The PM said:
"We want to make progress with reform of the EU in a way that does not affect fundamental constitutional issues… that is why we want to achieve our red lines. When people look at the detail of what we’ve negotiated they will see UK national interest protected while at the same time the work of the EU, with 27 members, can proceed."
Responding to journalists, President Barroso said he had "great confidence" that the UK’s negotiated objectives would be met in the treaty and that it was time to "put the institutional debate behind us". The EU should now focus on being more competitive, leading on climate change and shaping globalisation, he said.
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