Posted on 06/13/2005 5:08:29 PM PDT by blam
Schroeder warns Blair as EU rebate row hots up
(Filed: 13/06/2005)
Tony Blair has been publicly warned by Gerhard Schroeder, the German chancellor, that there was "no place for national egotism" in the debate over Britain's EU rebate and the future financing of Europe.
The warning came after the Prime Minister had said he would be prepared to discuss the £3billion a year rebate as part of a radical rethink of all EU finances, including scrapping massive subsidies to farmers.
The fresh war of words over Europe was just a taste of things to come, as Mr Blair continues his hectic 48 hour diplomatic mission tomorrow in Luxembourg and in talks with Jacques Chirac, the French president, ahead of a crunch summit at the end of the week.
Mr Blair flew into Berlin tonight from Moscow where he had talks with Vladimir Putin, the president, about next month's G8 summit.
The Gleneagles meeting was the original reason for Mr Blair's shuttle diplomacy - but his visits quickly became overshadowed by the European row.
In Moscow this morning Mr Blair said: "We can't discuss the British rebate unless we discuss the whole of the financing of the EU, including that 40 per cent of the finance goes on agriculture which only employs five per cent of the people."
He said that was not a budget formula fit for Europe in the 21st century.
But before their talks over dinner tonight in Berlin Mr Schroeder warned: "We need to get our act together and strike a fair compromise where everyone can chip in."
He said pointedly that Germany would stick to agreements already made between European leaders but added: "I still very much hope that a deal will be struck. We are ready to do our bit and I think there's no place for national egotism of whatever nature."
Mr Blair insisted: "The most important thing to realise is that this is a very decisive moment in Europe's history and people in Europe want to know that we are responding to the concerns they have. The most important thing we have to do at this European Summit is to answer the questions they are putting to us, to tell them why it is important that we have a strong Europe for the future.
"Of course everyone wants fairness - but what does fairness mean?"
And he repeated: "Of course everyone wants a deal that is fair but we have to look at fairness in respect of the whole way that Europe is financed.
"We have set out our position very clearly and that's our position."
On Mr Blair's twin hopes for his G8 presidency of action on climate change and aid for Africa, both Mr Schroeder and Mr Putin were broadly supportive.
Mr Putin said Russia shared Britain's aims and Mr Schroeder said plans for debt relief were "a clear sign of solidarity" with the world's poorest nations.
In Berlin, Mr Blair - who openly acknowledged the original purpose of his visit had been overshadowed - added: "What I hope at the G8 Summit we can do is set out a comprehensive plan for Africa."
But he went on: "This has to be a partnership. Without good governance and proper democratic procedures we can't be sure that this money will be properly used."
AND: Schroeder warns Blair as EU rebate row hots up
Schroeder warns as EU rebate row HEATS up
Oh that's right, that's Europe speak!!
National Egotism.
I think they are all suffering from National Ergotism.
What an arrogant jerk! I suppose he's not likely to criticize France for national egotism in raking in mountains of agricultural subsidies from the rest of the continent.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4084594.stm Here's an interesting link, showing the chart as to how the money is spent, and how much each country gives.
Die EU...NAFTA, GATT, CAFTA, FTAA - all you freaking NWO treaties.
Just DIE.
Why don't they buy agricultural products from Africa?
Oh, I forgot, Mugabe killed and/or deported all the farmers.
Are there no farmlands in the Eastern EU countries?
LOL!
haha what a surprise to see 'the gambler' discussed here. usually every summer the german press is devoid of political news. last year, we heard about this guy finding his father's grave for the first time and adopting a russian girl. now that his career's pretty much finished, he puts new elections so far ahead that he can spend the next three months going comfortably into the sunset, while we're forced to pay more attention to him. ::yawn::
Thanks. I need to get to the html sandbox...
Dr. Angela Merkel, deutsche Bundeskanzlerin
Typical lefty rhetoric. The one I like the most was when a leftie snapped at some republicans," That smacks of individualism" as if being an individual was something to be ashamed of. Idividualism is what made this country great and is why, although we can't let it continue until we win the WOT, people flock here in the millions. They want that individual freedom, the ability to decide your own life and not leave it up to some faceless bueareaucrat to decide for you.
What Europe needs is a good war but they would have to fight no more than 35 hours per week.
It's amazing. The Netherlands pays more than France. No wonder the Netherlands voted no.
It's amazing. The Netherlands pays more than France. No wonder the Netherlands voted no.
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I wouldn't be surprised that France voted "NO" because they did'nt get enough!
This just goes to show how evil the EU will be if and when it finally materializes. All this "national egotism" talk should be taken as a warning by countries who seek to join this totalitarian/collectivist babel of nations. Should the EU go through, these nations can kiss their national sovereignty--and their freedom--goodbye.
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