Barroso appeals to UK to support EU treaty

UK support for the EU reform treaty is vital if Europe is to tackle future challenges José Manuel Barroso has warned.

Speaking at the UK Liberal Democrat conference in Brighton on Monday, the commission president said that defending UK interests should not be about not about resisting EU policies but about playing a more active part in setting out the EU agenda.

“It is defined by your ability to seize and shape the European agenda that makes a difference to British citizens – from trade openness and economic reform, to climate change and energy markets”, he said.

“Europe is not full of hidden plots. The more the UK leads the debate, the more you will get out of Europe. Europe is an opportunity not a threat.”

“The truth is that the EU remains the only credible option for European co-operation…we need sustained leadership from the UK to help ensure that we go in the right direction”, he added.

Barroso added that reform was a necessary part of the EU agenda.

“Reform of our policies must be the priority. We cannot face the challenges of tomorrow with the policies of yesterday.”

“More jobs, cutting crime, clean water, safe food, cheaper travel are what our citizens want, which in turn means safeguarding our internal market and keeping our competition rules strong.”

“Strong modern institutions only work if they are reformed…I strongly believe that the reform treaty is good for Europe, and good for Britain.”

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