In The Press
BNE Chairman in The Times - Britain’s lack of foreign language speakers is costing the economy
30 January 2012
By Oliver Moody Britain’s lack of foreign language speakers costs the economy up to £17 billion a year, a report suggests. The country is losing its standing in the world because many people cannot communicate adequately outside their own language, according to research by the Education and Employers Taskforce for Collins Language. It adds …
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BNE Chairman in the Economist Debates: The UK and the EU
12 January 2012
Economist Debates: The UK and the EU With the problems facing the common currency, it is easy for us in Britain to forget that the success of the euro zone—and for that matter the European Union—is essential for our recovery and future prosperity. The figures speak for themselves. According to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, …
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BNE in Die Welt - “Nicht ohne die Briten - Not without the Brits”
21 December 2011
By Michael Stürmer, Chief Correspondent, Die Welt Seit dem Brüsseler Gipfel geht die Insel wieder auf Distanz zum Kontinent. Das ist gefährlich. Denn wenn Großbritannien draußen bleibt, gibt es kein im Weltmaßstab handlungsfähiges Europa Brüssel vor elf Tagen: Es sollte der Krisengipfel sein, der alle Krisengipfel beendet. Stattdessen sieht es so aus, als koste der …
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BNE in the Daily Mail - “3m jobs at risk if Britain does not stay at the heart of Europe”
20 December 2011
By Kerry McQueeney Twenty leading businessmen today warned that if Britain does not stay at the heart of Europe, three million jobs could be lost. Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson and British Telecom chairman Sir Mike Rake were among the leading business figures who urged the Government to seize opportunities to 're-engage in the decision-making …
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BNE in the Daily Telegraph - “Staying outside EU risks millions of jobs, warn 20 UK businessmen”
20 December 2011
By Christopher Hope, Senior Political Correspondent, The Daily Telegraph In a letter to the Daily Telegraph, 20 businessmen say it is "imperative" that Britain has a place on the negotiating table when major decisions about Europe are taken. Signatories including Sir Richard Branson, the Virgin tycoon, and Sir Mike Rake, the chairman of British Telecom, …
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BNE Letter in the Daily Telegraph - “It is vital that the Government remains at the heart of Europe”
20 December 2011
SIR – We welcome the Government’s decision to take part, albeit as an observer, in the new EU treaty negotiations, following the agreement on December 9. It is imperative that we are not outside when important decisions are taken, and as opportunities arise over the coming months for Britain to re-engage in the decision-making process …
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BNE Chairman in the Times - “What’s it like out in the cold? Just ask Norway.”
19 December 2011
Norway has many qualities to commend it, including a beautiful rugged coastline and telemark skiing. But its relationship with the European Union is not one of them. A growing clamour in Britain says that we should be more like Norway by enjoying the benefits of the single market but without Brussels diktats. Sadly, the attractions …
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BNE Chairman in City A.M. - “London needs EU strategy that does not lead to it being sidelined”
19 December 2011
Fear is stalking parts of the city that Brussels is determined to undermine its competitiveness. But ask any senior banker or businessman what particular measure it is that Britain needs saving from, they draw a blank. The implementation of a Financial Transactions Tax (FTT) in the EU alone, and not on a global level, would …
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BNE in The Independent - “Coalition partners put a brave face on their battered relationship”
15 December 2011
After a torrid few days, Nick Clegg began yesterday among friends. He arrived at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in London's Knightsbridge at 7.45am and had time, appropriately, for croissants and coffee as he prepared to address the Business for New Europe group. Like him, the organisation is for the European Union and against David …
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Roland Rudd in The Independent - “UK still has a role in the EU, says Angela Merkel”
14 December 2011
Suggestions that David Cameron has left Britain isolated in Europe by deploying his veto were downplayed today by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who insisted the UK will continue to play an important role in the EU. Mr Cameron told the House of Commons he would "make no apology for standing up for Britain" by blocking …
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BNE in the Daily Telegraph - “Nick Clegg says UK will face ‘intemperate’ Europe with calm”
14 December 2011
The Deputy Prime Minister has promised Britain will negotiate with Europe in a "calm and reasoned" manner in the face of "intemperate remarks" from Brussels yesterday. Nick Clegg told business leaders that he was "absolutely determined" to re-engage with Europe, as British jobs depend on the single market. The Deputy Prime Minister said he spoke …
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BNE in the Daily Mail - ‘We need to re-engage with Europe,’ declares Clegg ahead of PMQs in Commons”
14 December 2011
The Government is 'absolutely determined' to ensure that Britain remains at the heart of the European single market, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said today. Despite the deep differences on Europe between the coalition parties exposed by David Cameron's decision to deploy the UK veto to block a new EU treaty last week, Mr Clegg …
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BNE on BBC News - “We will re-engage with Europe, says deputy PM Clegg”
14 December 2011
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has said ministers are "absolutely determined to re-engage with our European partners" following David Cameron's EU veto. He was addressing a meeting of Liberal Democrats and business leaders, and said he was speaking on behalf of the "whole government". Mr Clegg has called the veto "bad for Britain". But the …
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BNE in the Press Association - “Clegg: We must re-engage with EU”
14 December 2011
The Government is "absolutely determined" to ensure that Britain remains at the heart of the European single market, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has said. Despite the deep differences on Europe between the coalition parties exposed by David Cameron's decision to deploy the UK veto to block a new EU treaty last week, Mr Clegg …
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Phillip Souta in Le Figaro - “The City is concerned”
13 December 2011
British Prime Minister raises doubts growing among the first representatives of the European financial marketplace. David Cameron has wielded its veto in Brussels Friday in the interests of the City. Monday defended by Prime Minister at Westminster, the stunt has caused sharp criticism from the opposition. It also raises growing doubts among the first representatives of the European …
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BNE in The Independent - “City warns Cameron veto may come back to haunt it”
10 December 2011
By David Prosser Britain's decision to veto a European Union-wide treaty on the single currency in order to safeguard the interests of the City of London could backfire, senior members of the country's crucial financial sector warned yesterday. David Cameron's refusal to sign any treaty that did not build in new safeguards for the …
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Phillip Souta in Financial Times - “Business worries at lack of resolution”
9 December 2011
By Brian Groom, FT Business and Employment Editor Fear that the summit outcome would fail to resolve the eurozone crisis was a bigger immediate worry for many UK businesses than concern about isolation as a result of David Cameron’s veto of a European Union-wide treaty change. “The most important thing for UK manufacturers was a resolution of the eurozone …
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Roland Rudd on BBC Radio 4 - “Is the EU Undemocratic?”
11 November 2011
As Greece and Italy prepare to swear in new, unelected, prime ministers, has the eurozone democratic dream been forgotten? "There is a strong indication that the ball game has changed" in European politics, eurosceptic Conservative MP Bill Cash told John Humphrys, with Germany starting to flex it's political muscles. There had been a "conglomeration of power" …
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3 November - Letter in The Times
3 November 2011
Sir, As the eurozone moves towards a solution to the sovereign debt crisis, it looks increasingly likely that treaty change may be required. Some on the fringes in the UK see that as an opportunity for wholesale repatriation of social and employment powers from the European Union. Such a strategy would fail. Stability of the …
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Letter in The Evening Standard - Roland Rudd on why Parliament rightly voted against EU referendum
27 October 2011
David Cameron was right to firmly face down eurosceptics on whether there should a referendum on our EU membership. Parliament, rightly, voted overwhelmingly against the motion as wrong both in principle and a distraction. The Government must not shift from the path of engaging in Europe. In a reported clash with President Sarkozy, the PM …
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Letter in The Telegraph - BNE Chairman, Roland Rudd, on why an EU referendum would be wrong
25 October 2011
SIR – Yesterday's motion on a referendum on membership of the EU was quite rightly never going to succeed. There are two particular reasons why it would be wrong to have such a referendum. First, it would be a distraction. Europe is in the midst of a dire economic crisis. The Government should be focusing …
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BNE Director Letter to City A.M. calling for 10 per cent cut in EU budget
11 October 2011
The EU has an opportunity to wrong foot its detractors with its next seven-year budget, which is starting to be negotiated. The signs, however, are not good. The European Commission and Parliament have proposed increases for 2012, of 4.9 per cent and 5.2 per cent respectively. The debate needs to change – it is not …
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BNE Director quoted in CNBC article - Can the UK Stay Clear of the Euro Zone’s Problems?
7 October 2011
By Catherine Boyle Staff Writer, CNBC.com The UK has had an often fractious relationship with the rest of the European Union since it joined in 1973, with Euroscepticism sometimes one of the best tactics for aspiring politicians to get to the top. Now, with almost every day marking a new milestone in the euro …
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Roland Rudd on Bloomberg TV
20 September 2011
BNE Chairman, Roland Rudd, discusses the eurozone with Bloomberg's Maryaman Nemazee and emphasizes the importance of the UK's role in stabilising the euro. Greece leaving the euro would be catastrophic and with close economic ties, it would be impossible to shield the UK from the impact this would cause. http://www.bnegroup.org/video/#roland-rudd-on-bloomberg-with-maryam-nemazee
Rapid Response in City A.M. - ‘Save the Euro’
19 September 2011
'Politicians can and will sort out the euro crisis. Why? They have no alternative. A breakup would send Germany, Greece and every country in between into a grinding recession. The cost of the solutions - euro bonds, empowering the European Central Bank to stand behind Eurozone debt - is a bargain compared to that. Europe's …
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Comment in the Independent - The high price of playing politics with stability
12 September 2011
We should focus on strengthening the hand of liberals. Ultimately this is a crisis of competitiveness and the EU will only get out of it through growth, says Roland Rudd, Chairman of BNE. Up to 100 Conservative MPs are meeting today under the banner of reversing integration in the European Union. Share prices may have plunged …
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Letter in the Times - UK must lead the debate in Europe
28 July 2011
Sir, The eurozone crisis is not the time for the UK to step back from decisions being taken in the EU (Rachel Sylvester, Opinion, July 26). Some are saying that the price of the UK agreeing to reform of the eurozone should be a renegotiation of our membership. That would be bad diplomacy and wrong …
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Letter in the Daily Telegraph - Competitiveness
17 June 2011
SIR – The headlines say Europe is in a state of crisis and the euro close to collapse. There is, indeed, a crisis, but the more dire predictions are wide of the mark and ignore the important underlying story of the battle in European capitals over how to set the European Union on the path …
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Letter in The Telegraph - Libya: enter the EU
28 February 2011
SIR – As events in North Africa unfold, the European Union has been woefully inadequate in its response. We seriously need to raise our game. The EU’s first and rather ignoble concern was voiced by Roberto Moroni, Italy’s Interior Minister. He spoke of “an exodus of biblical proportions” that threatens to engulf Italy and bring …
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City A.M. - New CBI head backs UK membership of EU
20 December 2010
Richard Partington in the City A.M. - The incoming president of the CBI has said Britain would lose out if it were to quit the European Union. Roger Carr, president-elect of the CBI and chairman of Centrica, said: “Economic conditions in Europe are challenging but it remains a major UK trading partner. “Britain …
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The Sunday Times - Europe or Bust
20 December 2010
By Dominic O'Connell in the Sunday Times - Brussels has strong competition enforcers but the European currency looks as stable as a custard sandwich. Last week Ireland, a straggling member of the eurozone, lost its A credit rating. The repercussions have yet to be felt, but Lloyds gave a clue on Friday, increasing provisions for …
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Daily Telegraph - Britain must learn to talk the language of business
26 November 2010
By Damian Reece in the Daily Telegraph It is predicted that within a few years the nation with the most English speakers will be China. Another reason for our children to avoid learning a foreign language? I sincerely hope not. The Coalition has placed trade at the heart of its foreign policy yet it would …
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Joint letter in the Telegraph and le Figaro - Anglo-French defence cooperation
2 November 2010
Letter in the Daily Telegraph As the French and British governments seek to maintain military capabilities during the toughest spending climate in living memory, it is not only right but essential that greater defence cooperation is to be on the agenda at today’s summit between Prime Minister Cameron and President Sarkozy. The trauma of Iraq …
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Letter in the Times - Explain the benefits of Europe Mr Cameron
30 October 2010
Sir, Your leading article on the EU budget (Oct 28) was right to urge David Cameron to say “no” to a 6 per cent increase. At this time of Continent-wide austerity, the EU had a priceless opportunity to prove its detractors wrong by freezing the budget for 2011. Mr Cameron’s success in building a coalition …
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Letter in the Daily Telegraph - Cash for scrutiny
15 July 2010
SIR – The chairman of the Commons European Scrutiny Committee is likely to be chosen this week or next. Bill Cash, an ideologically Eurosceptic Conservative MP, has been nominated. The committee sifts through documents that emanate from the EU on behalf of the Commons and is one of our most important select committees, and one …
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EU finance reform (Letter in The Times)
17 June 2010
Sir, European Union finance ministers meet in Brussels today to discuss ways of improving market confidence in member states’ finances. Some have said that President Herman van Rompuy, the European Council’s increasingly active “facilitator”, is suggesting that member states should present completed budgets to the Commission before they are seen by member states’ own legislatures. …
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Europe has been damaged by internal wrangling
19 May 2010
By Charles Grant in the Financial Times Despite European Union leaders agreeing on a €500bn support package, the underlying causes of the euro crisis – southern Europe’s lack of competitiveness and structural imbalances within the eurozone – remain. Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain face years of low growth, severe budget cuts and perhaps social unrest. …
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Tory Euroscepticism is being sidelined
14 May 2010
The Guardian - Comment is Free Charles Grant For those of us who hope Britain will engage constructively with the EU, the formation of the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition is good news. Even when Conservative leaders expected to win the election outright, they were not planning a confrontational approach to the EU. This is not because …
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Europe’s future in the balance as eurozone faces its toughest test
9 May 2010
As the world waits to see whether Greece's debt crisis will spread to other European nations, eurozone experts give their views on how events will play out. The eurozone faces the biggest test since its inception in 1999, amid fears that the Greekdebt crisis could spread to other European countries and imperil the future of the euro. …
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UK needs a government working strongly in the EU mainstream (Letter in the Financial Times)
22 April 2010
Dear Sir, British business needs a government at Europe’s top table. We call on all parties to campaign on the basis that the UK must play a central and positive role in the EU. Business for New Europe, a coalition of business leaders supporting reform in Europe, has published a manifesto setting out what the …
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Lady Ashton’s fans (Letter in The Daily Telegraph)
8 March 2010
SIR – In November last year, Cathy Ashton landed one of the hardest jobs in Brussels. To say that a letter of support from David Miliband and Carl Bildt is intended to “prop her up” (report, March 5) before a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Cordoba is wide of the mark.We need to realise …
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Britain should join euro despite Greece crisis, says Mandelson (Article in The Daily Telegraph)
11 February 2010
The Business Secretary spoke of the "remarkable success" of the beleaguered euro despite the problems which have beset the single currency in recent weeks.The peer was speaking just as a group of key eurozone countries lined up to pledge “determined and co-ordinated action” over Greece.But they were accused of sparking unease and confusion by failing …
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Euro could be so good for UK (Article in the Evening Standard by Roland Rudd)
5 February 2010
Eurosceptics argue that had we been in the euro during the recent crisis, the effect on the UK's economy would have been catastrophic. Yesterday, David Davis, a senior Conservative MP, added his voice to that chorus in an article for the Evening Standard. It is a truism to say that had we joined in 2007 …
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Achieve defence goals through Europe (Letter in The Times)
2 February 2010
Sir, Malcolm Rifkind (Opinion, Feb 1) says that defence co-operation with France is essential to maintain the UK’s position as a global military player. He is absolutely right. In an era of public austerity, European defence co-operation is an obvious way of achieving our strategic objectives for less. The UK can and should take the …
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UK anxiety over influence in Europe after crisis (Article on the BBC News website)
15 January 2010
"The zeitgeist has changed." Indeed it has. Before late 2008, the UK's economy - the third-largest in the European Union (EU) - was the envy of most of its neighbours. The financial sector was booming, fuelling a decade of growth. Proud British officials in Brussels would push other countries to open their economies and curb …
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EU must lead the world on climate change, The Daily Telegraph
5 August 2009
Martin Luther King would never have made the impact he did if he started his famous speech with the words: "I have a nightmare". It is hard to enthuse people about the need to combat climate change through fear. By Roland Rudd "If we don't act now, this is how terrible the world will be" …
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Europe must lead climate talks (in The Times)
9 July 2009
Attention now needs to focus on the serious challenges posed by climate change Sir, As the G8 and leading economies discuss climate change this week, we write to emphasise the importance of continued European leadership in this area. It is understandable that businesses have now focused their attention on the short-term economic situation. However, we …
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Key issues for G8 in L’Aquila (in The Guardian)
9 July 2009
The G8 may be an imperfect instrument but it is imperative that the mature developed countries take the lead on climate change (The wrong body, the wrong members, the wrong time, 8 July). The EU has already shown its commitment to addressing global warming, through setting tough targets and developing a carbon market incentivising firms …
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EU Membership Is a Boon For Britain (in Wall Street Journal)
1 July 2009
It is ironic that there is still so much ambivalence and hostility toward the European Union at a time when the direction of travel has been toward Britain ("The Dis-Uniting Kingdom," State of the Union, June 30). Since 2004, the EU has expanded to 27 member states and has made progress on strengthening the single …
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Viewpoints: EU crisis management (Article on the BBC News website)
2 June 2009
Politicians elected to the European Parliament this week will have real influence over the EU's budget and financial rules. Here two business leaders with contrasting views examine how the EU is coping with the economic crisis - and what could be done better. ROLAND RUDD, Chairman, Business for New Europe (BNE) If the financial crisis …
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Enlargement Benefits: The benefits to business of a bigger EU (in European Voice)
7 May 2009
By Roland Rudd It is not just new member states that have benefited from EU enlargement (Enlargement has energised Europe, Donald Tusk), but more established ones too. Indeed, some of the greatest benefits of the 2004 and 2007 enlargement have been experienced in countries like Britain. This is perhaps reward for the daring decision that …
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Further enlargement of EU club will energise continent (in the Financial Times)
1 May 2009
Sir, On the fifth anniversary of the entry of 10 new member states to the European Union, we write to emphasise the success of past EU enlargements and the need not to lose faith in the enlargement process.Expansion from a club of 12 in early 2004 to 27 member states today has transformed the EU, …
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Changing the regulations must never blunt the City’s competitiveness (in The Telegraph)
6 April 2009
By Roland Rudd When Zhou Enlai, the Chinese Prime Minister from 1949 to 1976, was asked to assess the effect of the French revolution, he famously responded: "It's too early to tell." By the same token, the London summit that took place this week, will have a variety of short-term consequences, but it's too soon …
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Letter to the Editor of the Evening Standard
2 April 2009
We should beware of exaggerating the differences of approach among G20 members. Anne McElvoy suggests France and Germany are at odds with Brown and Obama over a concerted fiscal stimulus, but it was Nicolas Sarkozy who co-ordinated the 200 billion European stimulus package last December, and Germany adopted two stimulus packages in January worth 4.3 …
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Obama Is Not Widening The Atlantic Ocean (Letter to the Editor of the Wall Street Journal)
1 April 2009
While there may be differences between Germany and the U.S. on economic policy, these are not as significant as Malte Lehming apparently thinks ("Just Another Bush," State of the Union, March 31). President Barack Obama has indicated that the economic crisis demands a regulatory as well as a fiscal response. And on financial regulation, there …
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Letter to the Editor of The Times
30 March 2009
Sir, We write in a personal capacity in support of Europe playing a leading role at the London summit meeting on Thursday. The EU is home to the largest market in the world, worth an estimated $17.6 trillion. While responsible for just 7 per cent of the world’s population, it comprises 30 per cent of …
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Protectionism by G20 members (letter to the Editor of The Telegraph)
30 March 2009
Protectionism by G20 members will hurt developing countries most SIR – The alternative to free trade is protectionism, which is a recipe for further contraction of the global economy ("Here's a slogan for the G20 mob: 'What do we want? Free trade!'", Boris Johnson, Comment, March 24). Anti-capitalist protesters should be careful what they wish …
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Anthony Hilton: EU’s muscle could be world’s saviour (in the Evening Standard)
30 March 2009
After a period when it looked likely to derail, the G20 train appears to be back on the track. A couple of weeks ago there appeared to be an unbridgeable gulf between the Americans, who were pressing for a co-ordinated global economic stimulus, and the Europeans, who thought there was enough of that already and …
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Ruth Sunderland: Barriers to recovery (in The Observer)
29 March 2009
The wish list for the G20 is formidable. It includes a new architecture for global financial regulation; hedge fund controls; stronger bank capital requirements, so those paying high bonuses have to hold larger reserves; more IMF resources; and a stronger line on protectionism. At the Washington meeting in November, world leaders pledged to resist protectionism, …
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Letter to the Editor of The Guardian
27 March 2009
Sir - In his speech to the European parliament, Gordon Brown laid to rest any lingering doubts about his European credentials (Leaders, 25 March), which are bolstered by current economic trends. More than half the UK's trade in goods and services is conducted with the EU (as compared to 4.2% and 1.3% with China and …
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European Union and the Global Crunch (Letter to the Editor of The Times)
3 March 2009
Sir, To say that the EU is being tested and found wanting in the present crisis is a little harsh (leading article, Feb 28). Every region of the world has been affected by contractions in economic growth, rising unemployment and falling trade. Last autumn the EU co-ordinated a banking bailout based on the British Government’s …
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Building bridges across the Atlantic (Letter to the Editor of The Guardian)
2 March 2009
In becoming the first European leader to meet President Obama, Gordon Brown underlines his status as one of the key leaders of the European community (Comment, 25 February). While the bilateral link has long been characterised as a "special relationship", the European dimension seems set to play a growing role in UK-EU relations. Under Brown's …
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If Europe wants to be relevant, it needs an elected president (in The Independent)
2 March 2009
When Henry Kissinger once quipped: "When I want to call Europe, I cannot find a phone number," he expressed a frustration about the lack of decisive leadership that has sometimes characterised EU affairs – and it's for this same reason that Gordon Brown finds himself constantly flying off to Brussels for meetings with European leaders. …
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Strengthening the European Commission will help fight protectionism (in The Daily Telegraph)
17 February 2009
The European Union was at the forefront of lobbying efforts against the "Buy America" clause in the US economic stimulus package. President Barack Obama's plan originally contained a clause requiring any publicly funded projects to use US steel. The EU ambassador to Washington, John Bruton, said the measure would see a "new age of protectionism". …
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Police the Single Market (Letter to the Editor of the Wall Street Journal)
11 February 2009
Regarding Peter Sutherland's Feb. 10 op-ed, "Trade Obstacles Will Prolong the Economic Crisis":In combating protectionism, the European Union has a key role to play. Under President José Manuel Barroso, the European Commission has shown a healthy appetite for confronting economic nationalism. It must continue to police the single market with care. First, it should seek …
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Rising Protectionism (Letter to the Editor of the International Herald Tribune)
6 February 2009
The European Union is right to challenge the "Buy American" clause in the economic recovery package currently before the U.S. Congress. This proscriptive move by the Obama administration is the latest outbreak of protectionism around the world, which has seen several manifestations. These include tariffs on imports, anti-dumping measures and blocks on foreign investment. Even Britain, …
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Ensure there is no backlash against foreign workers (Letter to the Editor of the Financial Times)
6 February 2009
Sir, At this time of economic difficulty and real hardship for many people, it is more important than ever to cherish the principle of the free movement of labour in the European Union. This has been called into question by the strikes at the Lindsey oil refinery and elsewhere. The fundamental principle of the European …
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Free trade &protectionism as response to the financial crisis(Letter to the Editor of The Telegraph)
31 January 2009
SIR - In order to lift the world economy out of the doldrums, you are right to say that we need more trade, not less (Leading article, January 26). The impasse in the Doha talks is certainly disappointing and there are perturbing predictions of a fall in world trade of two per cent in 2009, …
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Change in transatlantic relations (Letter to the Editor of The Times)
28 January 2009
Dear Sir - In recent years, British leaders have touted the UK-US “special relationship” as a means for Britain to exert its influence on the international scene (Pond Life, 24 January 2009). However, given his remarks about the importance of the EU’s role on the global stage, we should expect Obama’s promise of ‘change’ to …
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Factors of ‘smart power’ (Letter to the Editor of the LA Times)
28 January 2009
Re: ‘A return to ‘smart power,’ Opinion, January 21.In seeking to advance "smart power," an Obama-led United States should look toward Europe for assistance and cooperation. European leaders such as Gordon Brown and Nicolas Sarkozy wish to work with the U.S. to advance common aims on the economy and the environment.While European leaders are well-disposed toward …
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Music to Europe’s Ears (Guardian Online)
21 January 2009
By Roland Rudd In his inaugural address <http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/video/2009/jan/20/obama-inauguration-oath-speech> , Barack Obama <http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/barackobama> reminded his fellow citizens of America's challenges at home but also its global responsibilities. The 17-minute oration contained references to working in cooperation with international partners, and stated that the US is "ready to lead once more." America, he argued, could no longer …
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No boundaries (Letter to the Editor of The Guardian)
20 January 2009
The EU's capacity to function, despite the national differences depicted in the Czech artist David Cerny's model, is a remarkable achievement (Thus spoke Entropa: the EU defined in an Airfix model, 17 January). The EU may not be perfect, but it is a role model for regional cooperation. Barack Obama recognises the achievement of the …
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EU presidency (Letter to the Editor of The Independent)
11 January 2009
The reform entailing a permanent President of the EU is one of the changes in the Lisbon Treaty which would improve the workings of the EU (John Lichfield, 3 January). Six-month stints rotating 27 times is a recipe for discontinuity and confusion. The EU faces many challenges in 2009 and in the case of two …
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Small business leaders cast an envious eye at the eurozone’s stability (in The Independent)
1 January 2009
By Nigel Morris Leaders of British small businesses believe the euro has been a success by a margin of four to one, a poll today discloses. The survey for YouGov also found that a clear majority believed the currency had a long-term future and that Britain should keep open the option of membership.The vote of …
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EU and Protectionism (Letter to the Editor of The Telegraph)
8 December 2008
Sir - As business leaders who see the need for positive relations with the rest of Europe, we are attending the European business summit in London today. We write in a personal capacity to emphasise that the summit shows the key role of the European Union in the credit crunch.The primary actors in responding to …
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Viewpoint: WHY THE EUROPEAN UNION’S INSTITUTIONS NEED BEEFING UP (in City AM)
26 November 2008
TODAY the EU announces a package of measures designed to combat the economic downturn. The past few months have seen an unprecedented programme of government activity at national and international level. Nationalisation, which many considered a moribund idea, has returned. The EU has been centre stage in attempting to coordinate monetary policy and other policies. …
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Proof that Doha is not dead (Letter to the Editor of The Times)
19 November 2008
The best response to the economic crisis is to redouble the efforts to advance the benefits of free trade. Sir - We welcome the sentiment expressed in the G20 for countries to work together to mitigate the negative effects of the economic downturn. The representatives at the summit account for 85 per cent of the …
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Slump in sterling means we should think again about joining the euro (in the Evening Standard)
14 November 2008
In the run-up to the 1997 general election, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown were asked at a meeting of business leaders whether they would make the Bank of England independent and whether Britain would join the euro. Tony Blair replied that a Labour Government would do one or the other. Gordon Brown added that they …
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Obama and Europe will find many mutual benefits (in The Guardian)
6 November 2008
Obama and Europe will find many mutual benefits, especially by furthering trade links and holding climate talks The election of president-in-waiting Obama has captured the imagination of the world, and in particular reignited hopes for a fresh chapter in European-US relations. Certainly Europe was overwhelmingly supportive of Obama. The polls showed that if Europe were …
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US and Europe on the Same Planet (in The Independent)
6 November 2008
The election of President Obama heralds a new opportunity in US-European relations (Mary Dejevsky, "Will Europe get the America it wants?", 3 November). Whereas once critics were able to claim that "Americans are from Mars, Europeans from Venus", the two continents are now unquestionably occupying the same planet. President-elect Obama has stated that "the United …
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West must look beyond its borders to solve crisis (in the Daily Mail)
3 November 2008
This coming Saturday, leaders of the G20 will gather in Washington to talk about constructing a new international regulatory order for the world's financial system. China, as the factory of the world's economy, must be at the heart of these global discussions. Despite some protectionist noises, the Chinese economy is increasingly integrated into the global …
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Letter to the Editor of The Guardian
11 October 2008
The publication of the principles for sovereign wealth funds at the IMF meeting comes at a timely moment (IMF prepares $200bn fund to shore up stricken states, October 10). The global financial instability has reminded us of the need to explore alternative forms of investment. With an estimated $3tn in assets under management - a …
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European co-operation will lead us to safety (in The Telegraph)
3 October 2008
Financial Crisis: European co-operation will lead us to safety When European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso gave a major speech on global warming in London in January, the venue was Lehman Brothers' glittering offices in Canary Wharf. While the subject of his speech was climate change, little could he have known that his hosts would …
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Acting in Concert (in The Guardian)
3 September 2008
The EU summit held in Brussels on Monday was never going to solve the Russia-Georgia conflict, but it was a step in the right direction. By getting its 27 members round a table, the EU showed its resolve to deal with Russia as a bloc. There is a spectrum of opinion about how to deal …
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Letter to the Editor of The Telegraph
30 August 2008
Sir – In their strongly argued piece (Comment, August 26), David Cameron and Mirek Topolánek stress the importance of European unity in response to the Georgian crisis, in particular with regards to energy policy. Of course Russia is a large supplier of energy to the EU. But this relationship works two ways. The sheer volume …
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EU Making Progress (in The Daily Telegraph)
31 July 2008
Sir – The collapse of the Doha trade talks is a setback for the global economy, but the EU's positive role should indeed be noted (Comment, July 31). It is a mark of the steps forward the Union has made. Once seen as synonymous with protectionism, the EU has made huge progress in liberalising markets …
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Letter to the Editor of the Wall Street Journal Europe
1 July 2008
Regarding your July 1 editorial, "French Priorities at the EU": The French presidency of the European Union promises to be a busy one, and we hope that there is a focus on Europe's competitive position. One decision which the French government has already taken is to open its labor market to workers from Central and …
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We continue to believe Lisbon is positive for UK (in The Financial Times)
18 June 2008
Sir, While the outcome of the Irish referendum on the Lisbon treaty must be respected and taken into account in European Union-wide discussions, in Britain the House of Commons has already ratified the treaty and we write in continued support of the parliamentary ratification in the Lords. We continue to believe that the treaty is …
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Disappearing Poles (in The Daily Telegraph)
5 June 2008
Sir - Your report (June 3) that the exodus of many eastern Europeans from Britain has led to a rise in the cost of DIY is hardly surprising. The migration of the so-called "Polish plumbers" and others from the new EU-member states in 2004 was beneficial for not only the migrants, but also the receiving …
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Revolving Immigration (in the Wall Street Journal)
3 June 2008
When Nicolas Sarkozy visited the U.K. in March, he noted that London is now the seventh-largest French city. The British economy benefits greatly from the presence of 300,000 Frenchmen, including some of the best brains from the grandes écoles, and is now reaping the rewards of the recent arrivals from further east. Perhaps inspired by …
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Free movement of labor (in the International Herald Tribune)
2 June 2008
We applaud the decision of President Nicolas Sarkozy to open the French labor market to all people across the EU ("France to welcome east EU labor," May 29). This decision is consistent with the free movement of labor that lies at the heart of the European Union. It also adheres to the principle that all …
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UK Business backs EU expansion (in The Sunday Telegraph)
25 May 2008
Some of Britain's biggest companies are backing the enlargement of the European Union, arguing that the economies of Eastern Europe provide lucrative growth opportunities. Key City figures, including chief executives from advertising giant WPP, life assurer Aviva and steel group Corus supported the principle, arguing that the British economy stands to benefit. New research from …
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European Voice
22 May 2008
Alistair Darling, the UK finance minister, turned his attention to a familiar theme last week, that of reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). In a letter to fellow EU finance ministers, Darling attacks the CAP for its harmful effects on farmers in the developing world, as well as for pushing up prices for consumers …
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The Lisbon treaty is nothing to be scared of - we should support it (in The Times)
1 April 2008
Today the Bill ratifying the Lisbon treaty comes before the House of Lords, having comfortably surmounted all its hurdles in the Commons. The Lords will have to consider whether to approve the treaty and whether to support the demand for a referendum before it can be ratified. The two issues are separate, although closely related, …
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Letter to the Editor of the Daily Telegraph
29 March 2008
France and the EU marketSir - Following Nicolas Sarkozy's uplifting state visit, amid the talk of defence co-operation and the new Entente Amicale, there is no more imperative issue than Britain and France working together to promote economic dynamism.France is the third largest market for British exporters, with exports of about £20 billion a year, …
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Letter to the Editor of The Guardian
28 March 2008
Timothy Garton Ash points to the potential of Franco-British cooperation (A historic compromise with France is exactly what Britain needs, March 27) and a large part of this should focus on economic policy. There are already extensive investment, trading and people ties between the French and British economies. As President Sarkozy pointed out, London is …
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Letter to the Editor of The Independent
14 March 2008
Sir: Stephen Hale is right to point to the importance of European action on climate change (Opinion, 12 March). Given the cross-border nature of global warming, the problem demands an international response. The EU has taken a lead in establishing targets for reducing emissions and in establishing a market for carbon through the Emissions Trading …
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EU is good for Britain (in the Daily Telegraph)
21 January 2008
Sir - Today's start of the second reading of the Bill to ratify the EU Reform Treaty opens a debate that will highlight Britain's relationship with Europe. The business community should not be silent.Thousands of British companies do business with the rest of Europe. Over half of our trade is with the continent. Many British …
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Business leaders in EU call ( in The Sunday Times)
20 January 2008
A GROUP of business leaders is today calling for further economic reform and moves towards an effective single market across the European Union. In an open letter, 35 senior figures say the single market reaches 500m people. “It is now the largest market in the world. The UK’s attractiveness as a place to do business …
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Thatcher would have backed the Treaty (in Daily Telegraph)
18 December 2007
Al Gore famously remarked that when it came to a pivotal decision, he often applied the “What would Jesus do?” test. It seems that some modern day politicians use a similar mental filter, this time though it’s “what would Maggie do?”. Adulation for Baroness Thatcher may be confined to the Conservative party, but her shadow …
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