Tag: Britain

Britain could be like Turkey and remain part of the customs union after leaving the EU, says Liam Fox in first TV interview since promotion

According to The Telegraph Britain could be like Turkey and stay part of the customs union after leaving the European Union, Liam Fox has said in first broadcast interview since his promotion to Cabinet.

The news came as George Osborne, the former Chancellor, said that Mrs. May should not to have “red lines” on issues like immigration in her Brexit negotiations.

The customs union includes all 28 EU member states, alongside Turkey, Monaco, San Marino, Andorra and non-EU UK territories such as the Channel Islands.

Turkey’s customs union only covers goods, but not services or finance which is a large part of the UK’s GDP. Crucially there is also no freedom of movement between Turkey and the EU.

Pressed on the Andrew Marr programme, Dr Fox, the international trade secretary, said: “We want to look at all the different things, it’s not binary.

“I hear people talking about hard Brexit and soft Brexit as though it’s a boiled egg we’re talking about.

“It’s a little more complex. So Turkey, for example, is in parts of the customs union, but not in other parts.”

When asked whether he was open to staying inside the customs union, Dr Fox said: “I’ll argue my case inside Cabinet, rather than on the programme. I remain… instinctively a free trader.”

“The Government will come to a collective view on this once we’ve looked at all the issues.

“It’s correct that we do so, because we can’t go for a quick result, we have to get the right result.

“Whatever result we do come to, we have to be able to put in front of the British people the reasoning for coming to that result.”

He also indicated that the Government would pursue a transitional arrangement with EU officials to preserve single market access before striking a fresh trade deal with the bloc, saying “we can’t go for a quick result”.

Last week Philip Hammond, the Chancellor, lent his support for Britain to agree a transitional trade deal with the European Union after Brexit.

He said it would be “generally helpful” to have a longer period than the two years afforded under the Article 50 process to hammer out future trade arrangements.

On the same programme, Mr Osborne Britain needed a “hard-headed assessment” about issues such as whether to leave the customs unions.

Mr Osborne – who was one of the leaders of the failed Remain campaign ahead of the EU referendum – told the Andrew Marr programme: “I would not go into this negotiation necessarily drawing red lines.

“I would say we are leaving the EU – that’s the only red line I would draw – let’s go in there and try and get the best deal for Britain.”

Mr Osborne urged the Government not to discard existing free trade deals in Europe in the search for new ones elsewhere.

He said: “You can’t say we are a beacon of free trade in the world and the main thing you achieve is a huge act of protectionism, the biggest in British industry.”

Mr Osborne also criticised the target Mrs May agreed to as Home Secretary to get net migration down to the tens of thousands, which he said should not include students.

He said: “When I was the chancellor I thought it was not sensible to include them in the figures. But that’s got to be a collective decision.”

He warned jobs in the financial sector could move to New York if Britain gets its Brexit negotiations wrong.

December 19, 2016
EU’s Barroso to Britain – Don’t alienate your friends in Europe

According to Reuters, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso will on Monday issue a plea to Britain not to isolate itself in Europe by picking fights over immigration, saying that European Union membership boosts British international clout.

Britain’s future in the 28-country trading bloc has been thrown into question by Prime Minister David Cameron, who has adopted an increasingly defiant stance on immigration to tackle the threat of the anti-EU UK Independence Party. UKIP’s rising popularity threatens his bid for re-election in 2015.

Barroso, whose 10-year term as head of the EU’s executive body comes to an end next month, issued a warning to Cameron on Sunday against trying to seek changes to the EU’s freedom of movement rules, saying they were essential to the bloc’s internal market.

In a speech due to be delivered on Monday he will go further, saying that by engaging in such rhetoric on immigration, Britain risks isolating itself in Europe and undermining its attempts to achieve wider reforms.

“It would be an historic mistake if on these issues Britain were to continue to alienate its natural allies in central and eastern Europe,” Barroso will say in a speech at London’s Chatham House.

“It is an illusion to believe that space for dialogue can be created if the tone and substance of the arguments you put forward question the very principle at stake and offend fellow Member States.”

Under pressure from UKIP and eurosceptic lawmakers within his own party, Cameron has promised that if he wins the next election he will seek to renegotiate Britain’s European ties and put the new relationship to voters at a referendum by 2017.

Cameron has broadly outlined areas in which he wants to win reform from the EU, such as migration controls, retaining lawmaking powers at a national level, and cutting red-tape for businesses. He has not given specific details however. Other British parties also want reforms, but there is no consensus on a renegotiation strategy.

FRIENDS

Barroso will say that while he understands British voters’ concerns over Europe, the country has benefited from having the backing of other EU states on major geopolitical issues such as climate change negotiations and sanctions against Russia.

“In short, could the UK get by without a little help from your friends? My answer is probably not,” he will say.

Last week Cameron, who has long said he would like Britain to stay in a reformed EU, struck a newly eurosceptic note, warning that his renegotiation attempt would be his last, and acknowledging that it might end in failure.

Barroso will criticise parties across the British establishment for not being straight with voters about the benefits of EU membership, and for not challenging euroscepticism.

He will urge leaders to start making a positive case for remaining in Europe, or risk losing a potential referendum.

“If people read only negative and often false portrayals in their newspapers from Monday to Saturday, you cannot expect them to nail the European flag on their front door on Sunday,” he will say.

(Editing by Abigail Fielding-Smith)

October 20, 2014
UK Prime Minister’s Message for Ramadan

Prime Minister David Cameron has sent his best wishes to all Muslim communities in Britain and around the world at the start of the month of Ramadan.

Mr Cameron said Ramadan was a time to remind us of our duties and responsibilities and the importance of charity.

The PM said:

“To all Muslim communities in the United Kingdom and around the world, I send you my warmest wishes at this time of Ramadan.

“This is a time for Muslims all over the world to put aside thoughts of themselves, and think of others. The terrible scenes of famine and suffering in the Horn of Africa cry out to all of us. They remind us of our duties and responsibilities to those beyond our shores.

“The importance of charity at this time is clear and I am proud that many different communities in the United Kingdom continue to come together to support many thousands – indeed millions – in desperate need.

The Prime Minister’s Office

“As the holy month of Ramadan begins I wish you all peace and happiness.”

July 31, 2011
Mubarak’s son flees to Britain

Egypt president’s son has fled to Britain as thousands continue to protest across the country against Hosni Mubarak’s decades-long rule.

Mubarak’s son, who is considered his successor, along with his family left the country amid the anti-government protests across Egypt which are the largest since Mubarak took power three decades ago.

The plane with Gamal Mubarak, his wife and daughter on board left for London Tuesday from an airport in western Cairo, the US-based Arabic website, Akhbar al-Arab reported on Wednesday.

MSH/HRF

Press TV

January 26, 2011
U.S. and UK raise terrorism threat level in Europe

(Reuters) – The United States and Britain warned their citizens on Sunday of an increased risk of terrorist attacks in Europe, with Washington saying al Qaeda might target transport infrastructure.

Picture from Daily Mail

The U.S. State Department issued a warning directed at American citizens travelling in Europe, without singling out any specific countries.

Britain raised the terrorism threat level in its advice for citizens travelling to Germany and France to “high” from “general.” It left the threat level at home unchanged at “severe,” meaning an attack is highly likely, and said it agreed with the U.S. assessment for the continent as a whole.

The moves came after a week in which a number of European officials had broadly confirmed media reports that new intelligence indicated possible attacks on the continent.

Western intelligence sources said militants in hideouts in northwest Pakistan had been plotting coordinated attacks on European cities, the plans apparently surviving setbacks from a September surge in drone strikes and an arrest.

The plot involved al Qaeda and allied militants, possibly including European citizens or residents, the sources said. In Washington, U.S. officials said Osama bin Laden and the top al Qaeda leadership were likely behind the plot.

Some security officials have drawn comparisons to the brazen Mumbai attacks in 2008, which targeted city landmarks including luxury hotels and a cafe and killed 166 people.

The U.S. State Department travel alert said public transportation systems and other tourism-related facilities could be targets, noting that past attacks had struck rail, airline and boat services.

“The State Department alerts U.S. citizens to the potential for terrorist attacks in Europe. Current information suggests that al Qaeda and affiliated organizations continue to plan terrorist attacks,” it said.

“European governments have taken action to guard against a terrorist attack and some have spoken publicly about the heightened threat conditions,” it added.

“You should take these threats seriously, but right now I feel very safe in Paris,” U.S. tourist Tom Steier said.

The alert was posted on its website here

“A growing body of information on terrorist plotting — gathered over time — factored into the decision to issue the alert,” the U.S. official said.

CONSTANT REVIEW French Foreign Ministry spokesman Bernard Valero said France had taken the US warning into account: “The terrorist threat remains high in France … the alert level remains unchanged at red,” he said. That is the second highest level.

A spokesman for Britain’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) declined to detail why the travel advice for France and Germany had been updated.

Reuters

October 4, 2010
Cameron Throws Down Gauntlet To France, Germany With Backing For Turkey EU Bid

British Prime Minister David Cameron (left) with Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on July 26

July 27, 2010

By Robert Tait

British Prime Minister David Cameron appears to have set himself on a collision course with France and Germany by expressing “anger” at moves blocking Turkey’s entry into the European Union and pledging to help “pave the road from Ankara to Brussels.”

Speaking in the Turkish capital, Ankara, Cameron said he “passionately” supported Turkey’s EU membership and said opponents were guilty of double standards because they were happy to accept its contributions to Europe’s defense as a member of NATO.

“When I think about what Turkey has done to defend Europe as a NATO ally and what Turkey is doing now in Afghanistan alongside European allies, it makes me angry that your progress towards EU membership can be frustrated in the way it has been,” he told a meeting of the Turkish chambers of commerce. “I believe it’s just wrong to say Turkey can guard the camp but not be allowed to sit inside the tent.”

Cameron called Turkey” a great NATO ally” that “shares our determination to fight terrorism in all its forms, whether from Al-Qaeda or from the PKK [Kurdistan Workers Party].”

While Cameron’s remarks — on his first official visit to Turkey — echoed the support of Britain’s previous Labour government for Turkish EU membership, they were striking in their vehemence. They also represented a direct challenge to France and Germany, both of which oppose the majority Muslim country’s entry even though it formally opened membership negotiations in 2005. Since then, the pace of Turkey’s application has floundered, with just 13 of 35 chapters of European law required for membership opened.

Doing De Gaulle Proud

French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have tried to assuage Turkish aspirations by offering it “privileged partnership” status — a designation Turkey rejects.

Germany’s opposition was reiterated on July 27 by Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, who was also visiting Turkey but said it was not “ready to join” the EU.

“If the question had to be decided today, Turkey would not be ready for membership and the EU would not be ready to absorb it,” Westerwelle told the German newspaper “Bild.” “But we have a big interest in Turkey turning in Europe’s direction. I want a Turkey that is on Europe’s side. Not just for economic reasons. The country can also provide very constructive help in resolving many conflicts.”

Sarkozy has justified his opposition to Turkish membership by citing cultural differences and saying it would pose a threat to the bloc’s political cohesion.

But Cameron brazenly ruffled French feathers by comparing Paris’s position to President Charles de Gaulle’s hostility to British membership in the 1960s.

“Do you know who said, ‘Here is a country which is not European. Its history, its geography, its economy, its agriculture and the character of its people — admirable people though they are — all point in a different direction. This is a country which cannot, despite what it claims and perhaps even believes, be a full member’?” Cameron asked. “It might sound like some Europeans describing Turkey, but it was actually General de Gaulle describing the UK before vetoing our EU accession. We know what it’s like to be shut out of the club. But we also know that these things can change.”

Useful Friend

He also attacked opponents of Turkish entry on the grounds of its Muslim population as being guilty of seeing “the history of the world through the prism of a clash of civilizations.” He added: “They think Turkey has to choose between East and West and that choosing both is not an option.”

Turkey’s growing economic power meant that the Europe could not turn its back on it, Cameron suggested.

“Which European country grew at 11 percent at the start of this year? Which European country will be the second-fastest-growing economy in the world by 2017? Which country in Europe has more young people than any of the 27 countries of the European Union? Which country in Europe is our No. 1 manufacturer of televisions and second only to China in the world in construction and in contracting?

“Tabii ki Turkiye,” he said, Turkish for “Turkey, of course.”

He also said Turkey was vital to resolving the dispute over Iran’s nuclear program, which Tehran claims is for peaceful purposes but which the West suspects is for bomb-making.

“Which European country could have the greatest chance of persuading Iran to change course on its nuclear policy?” Cameron asked. “Of course, it’s Turkey. It’s Turkey that can help us stop Iran from getting the bomb.”

Turkey, along with Brazil, reached an agreement with Iran in May to export 1,200 kilograms of low-enriched uranium in exchange for nuclear fuel for a medical reactor in Tehran. The agreement failed to prevent a fourth round of UN sanctions against Iran, together with further EU and U.S. embargoes. But Cameron said he hoped the deal could help “see Iran move in the right direction.”

Not So Simple

Cameron also urged Turkey to repair its tattered relations with Israel after the recent confrontation over a commando raid on an aid flotilla bound for Gaza, resulting in the deaths of nine Turkish citizens.

“No other country has the same potential to build understanding between Israel and the Arab world,” Cameron said, acknowledging Turkey’s potential to act as a bridge between East and West. “I urge Turkey — and Israel — not to give up on that friendship.” But he also appeared to side with Turkish sentiments over Gaza, saying: The situation in Gaza has to change. Humanitarian goods and people must flow in both directions. Gaza cannot and must not be allowed to remain a prison camp.”

His comments appeared to reflect the belief of many Western policymakers that Turkey’s recent hostility toward Israel may have been partly fueled by its feelings of rejection by the EU and a resulting need to foster alternative alliances in the east, including with Iran.

U.S. President Barack Obama and Defense Secretary Robert Gates have both suggested in recent remarks that the EU has driven Turkey away from the West. .”If they do not feel part of the European family, then obviously they’re going to look elsewhere for alliances and affiliations,” Obama told the Italian newspaper, “Corriere Della Sera,” this month.

However, Turkey’s EU critics complain that an internal domestic reform process needed for membership has slowed. They also cite Turkey’s failure to open its ports to goods from Cyprus, an EU member that Ankara refuses to recognize because of its division into Greek and Turkish sectors.

https://www.rferl.org/a/Cameron_Throws_Down_Gauntlet_To_France_And_Germany_With_Backing_For_Turkish_EU_Bid/2111086.html

July 27, 2010