Callanan welcomes UK's "real progress" in latest version of fiscal pact
Posted, January 11, 2012 @ 15:00
Conservative MEPs have welcomed clear concessions to Britain which are included in the latest draft of the European fiscal pact.
A leaked copy of the third draft of the agreement appeared today on the Open Europe website following Friday's latest round of negotiations, which included British representation.
Martin Callanan, the leader of UK British Conservatives in the European Parliament and chairman of the European Conservatives and Reformists Group, said: "It is good that the architects of this pact have put aside their objectionable and unlawful scheme to debase the proper running of the single market.
"It is also helpful that they now plan to rely much less on use of the EU institutions, something we have said all along would be illegal and which we will oppose.
"Make no mistake, this progress is entirely down to the clear and purposeful way the Prime Minister and UK negotiators have set out their objections to this deal, and the forcefulness of our arguments.
"Where Conservatives have cried foul, Labour would have waved play-on. Where we have held France and Germany to account, Labour would have held up their hands."
"Of course we cannot put the flags out and declare the job done. We will continue to argue that the institutions must not be employed in any way in the functioning of this accord. And we will continue to block any attempt to impose a Financial Transaction Tax on Britain.
"But this is a major step in the right direction and a recognition by Europe's would-be power-brokers that they cannot ride roughshod over the UK's interests.
"This is especially true when you bear in mind that on Monday President Sarkozy and Chancellor Merkel started talking about FTT for the eurozone only, instead of EU-wide.
"Far from sitting in isolation in Europe, Conservatives by their strong stance are directly influencing the shape and scope of this agreement. We are using that influence to benefit Britain - and as it happens to help the eurozone help itself."