David Cameron has warned it will be "bad for all of Europe" if arch-federalist Jean-Claude Juncker is nominated for the EU's top job in an unprecedented vote.
The Prime Minister insisted he was "completely unapologetic" about his outspoken opposition to the appointment of the former Luxembourg premier.
He has forced today's vote on the nomination, breaking with tradition that the Commission chief is chosen by consensus of the EU's national heads of government.
Mr Cameron's stance has left him increasingly isolated at a two-day summit of the European Council.
Germany has thrown its weight behind Mr Juncker, while other potential allies for Mr Cameron - Sweden and the Netherlands - have dropped their opposition.
Angela Merkel is supporting Mr Juncker's nomination Only Hungary remained as a possible partner for Britain in voting against his installation.
However, Britain insists its dissatisfaction with Mr Juncker is "not a unique view" and that privately other capitals have misgivings about his candidacy.
There are also widespread reports that Mr Juncker's liking for "a cognac at breakfast" was causing concerns in Brussels.
One European diplomat said: "His alcohol consumption has been raised by a number of leaders since the (European) parliamentary elections."
Mr Cameron said he continued to believe his fellow leaders were making a "mistake" to nominate Mr Juncker, who Britain regards as an obstacle to reform.
Diplomats have expressed concern about Mr Juncker's alcohol consumption In an apparent swipe at leaders who have voiced disquiet behind closed doors, Mr Cameron said: "It's very important in Europe that you say what you say in private and it's the same as what you say in public."
Asked whether there could be consequences if the other 27 leaders refuse to accept the need for consensus, the Prime Minister said: "Everything has consequences in life.
"Obviously, I think proceeding in the way that countries are planning to proceed in choosing this individual, I believe that this is the wrong approach. And I think that would be bad for... all of Europe."
Mr Cameron made clear that defeat in Brussels would not affect his determination to press ahead with the renegotiation of Britain's EU membership.
That would be followed by an in/out referendum in 2017, if Conservatives win next year's General Election.
And the PM repeated his opposition to Mr Juncker as he arrived at the summit in Brussels, arguing there were times when "you stick to your principles and you stick to your convictions even if the odds are heavily stacked against you, rather than go along with something you believe is profoundly wrong".
He added: "The European elections showed there is huge disquiet about the way the European Union works, and yet the response I believe is going to be wrong on two grounds.
"Wrong on the grounds of principle. It's not right for the elected heads of government of the European countries to give up their right to nominate the head of the European Commission, the most important role in Europe. That is a bad principle.
"And it's the wrong person. Jean-Claude Juncker has been at the heart of the project to increase the power of Brussels and reduce the power of nation states for his entire working life.
"He's not the right person to take this organisation forward.
"I am very clear about the right thing to do. I know the odds are stacked against me, but that doesn't mean you change your mind, it means you stand up for what you believe and vote accordingly."
Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang
PM Warns Juncker Vote Is 'Bad For All Of Europe'
Dengan url
http://gagalcoba.blogspot.com/2014/06/pm-warns-juncker-vote-is-bad-for-all-of.html
Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya
PM Warns Juncker Vote Is 'Bad For All Of Europe'
namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link
PM Warns Juncker Vote Is 'Bad For All Of Europe'
sebagai sumbernya
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar