Jim Murphy

Minister for Europe

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Friday 26 October, 2007

Getting on with business

The EU has been busy getting on with business - today the EU-Russia Summit in Mafra, Portugal, will be an opportunity for dialogue with a key strategic partner for the EU. Relations with Russia are central to achieving some of our key priorities for EU action. On climate change and energy security, or on promoting security and stability in our wider neighbourhood, we have to make sure that Russia is engaged. And we can achieve this far more effectively when we speak together through the EU.

From providing emergency aid in the wake of humanitarian disasters, to supporting peaceful elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the EU can and does play a significant and positive role on the world stage helping us to deliver our UK foreign policy priorities.

I've had the opportunity to hear views recently from many different constituencies - from Parliament, from the public through this blog and the No10 webchat yesterday, from speaking to the Young Professionals in Foreign Policy. This is the real debate on Europe that we should be having.

Posted at 16:12 26 October 2007 by Jim Murphy  |  Comments[4]

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Dear Jim,brI've just read the Prime Ministers STATEMENT TO PARLIAMENT ON EUROPEAN COUNCIL 22/10/07 which we can view via the FCO site and also your EUROPE IN THE WORLD speech to the young professionals. My only criticism is about our use of abbrieviations eg, "QMV's".brbrI didn't know what this meant and spent some time searching out the possible meanings.. eg "quantum measurement of voltage" or "qualified majority vote".brbr"A better informed public is a better educated one". Can we please make sure speeches contain the proper terminology first, before making use of abbrieviations.brbr

Posted by Mrs.Josephine Hyde-Hartley on October 26, 2007 at 11:34 PM BST #

Jim,brI noticed with anger the No 10 Webchat yesterday which dealt mostly with the EU constitution. A little mention was given to the problem that many British nationals have in France with the health care system they have adopted.brbrNoting also your comments on 26th October "Getting on with Business" nothing at all is mentioned that the EU is investigating or helping out its members with this French policy. Why are you not taking this matter seriously, why are you not giving support to your own countrymen and why are you not even talking about it.brbrPull the finger out please otherwise Labour are out to find a definate change in voting practices!.

Posted by Mike Collins on October 27, 2007 at 10:38 PM BST #

Dear Jim Murphy, I've also now read your speech to the 'Young Professionals in Foreign Policy'. One point gives insight on how UK policy now here differentiates the old 'Constitutional Treaty' from UK 'Reform Treaty', i.e. cum its UK opt-outs per veto. But questionably not so for signatories to the 'Reform Treaty' coupled to all of previous EC&EU Treaties. Both former and latter model insisted on: not an EU "Constitution", thus not anyone an EU "Foreign Minister". Crux of that matter seems to me, the double-hatted role of the in both treaties High Representative for CFSP sub still-aegis of EU Council - policy coordination via all Heads of EU member-states - but future assurance of EU Commissioners' moderation by their required policy-unanimity via Vice-Presidential role the "extra hat". Of course the extended role must then cover your "the Council has become much more sure-footed on CFSP". However, once decided quicker still in emergency, it may well be advantage to achieve rapid need for Petersberg-level action by optimising the military response delegated differently to ESDP military capabilities - then also to neutral members' soft power.br

Posted by Stefan Peter. on November 02, 2007 at 12:12 PM GMT #

Mike Collins 27.October - and to Minister for Europe:brJim Murphy already on 11.October created a supported sub-blog presently has 44 postings. 'Moving away from the constitutional approach' part on the problem raised sub 'Healthcare in France'. It seems that problem for UK-in-EU citizens settled or for settling in France-in-EU the French Republic are being denied expected security of equivalent cover for residence now and in ongoing future domicile in France. As far as that must be of concern to any UK-in-EU government, it can well need rapid set-ups of ministerial "urgency teams" to tackle gaps in health-security of individuals also of groups of individuals - solutions activated at relevant EU and member-state levels. Surely within shared social citizenship there cannot be acceptance of any "falling between two stools". Willingness to act equitably is paramount to all concerned for administrative subsidiarity cum solidarity.br

Posted by Stefan Peter. on November 05, 2007 at 02:34 PM GMT #

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