15 December 2006
Tony Blair has spoken to journalists at the EU Council meeting in Brussels.
Read the transcript
Prime Minister:
Good Morning everyone. First of all let me bring you up to date with what is happening at the Council. The discussions that we have had this morning have focused first of all on the declarations in respect of Israel and Palestine and Lebanon where there was a consensus round the table that this is of immense strategic importance for Europe, that there is progress again between Israel and Palestine, and that we get a resolution of the issues to do with the Lebanon and support strongly the efforts of the democratically elected government in the Lebanon.
Secondly then we have had a discussion on enlargement where again the European Union has given a very firm direction in favour of enlargement, provided of course the criteria are met. And as you know from this Council I will go to Turkey and then on to the Middle East. And I think that what is increasingly important is that for our broader global interests for the European Union and also Britain, it is important that we continue the process of accession with Turkey, that we do not shut the door on Turkey’s membership. Though of course the criteria for European Union membership must apply to Turkey, as with anyone else, but that we recognise that this has got an importance, not just in respect of Turkey but wider relationships between the west and the Muslim world. And that that is also part at least of the backdrop to the broader Middle East and in particular to trying to make sure that if there is any way possible at all we should try and achieve a Palestinian government with which we and the rest of the world can deal so that we can release resources to the Palestinian people, help the Palestinian people, but at the same time make sure that we can get a negotiation going forward which protects completely the security of Israel but allows us to develop momentum towards a Palestinian state.
So I think there is some coincidence if you like between the subjects that formed the basis of the discussion of the Council and the visit that I will be making in the next few days. But this is I think a very, very important moment for the European Union where we have taken a very clear decision that despite all the difficulties we continue with the process of enlargement.
We also incidentally had a discussion on the whole justice and home affairs issue which I think we have probably resolved now in a satisfactory way, although there is still some debating over the exact wording.
Question:
Prime Minister, how does it feel to have been the first Prime Minister to be Questioned in a police criminal inquiry? Do you feel in any sense ashamed and do you think you have now completed your role in this inquiry or are you expecting to be Questioned again?
Prime Minister:
Well I think we said certain things yesterday and I can only really repeat those. First of all this was a complaint that was made by the Scottish National Party against me personally in effect, and so it is not the slightest bit surprising or wrong that the police should come and want to talk to me. And as again we said yesterday, the fact is that particular issues of concern were not about honours given by me as Prime Minister or people for public service, on the contrary they were given by me, nominated by me as Party leader for Party service in the way that other Party leaders are entitled to do, and that is the basic distinction that lies at the heart of this. And so as I say I think it is perfectly natural that the police should come and talk to me, and there it is.
Question:
Prime Minister, Scotland Yard seems to believe that you chose the date yesterday, you cleared your diary in order to be Questioned by the police yesterday. Why did you choose yesterday? It was a very convenient day for publicity purposes?
Prime Minister:
Well Daisy I have learnt over the years not to get involved in issues of process. You guys can say that as much as you like.
Question:
About the BAE story, isn’t it true that it seems that for political reasons again that criminal proceedings have been dropped, and isn’t that scandalous?
Prime Minister:
Right, well I do want to say something on this because I think it is a very important issue for our country. Now let me just make one thing clear. Leave aside the effect on thousands of British jobs and billions worth of pounds for British industry, leave that to one side. Our relationship with Saudi Arabia is vitally important for our country in terms of counter-terrorism, in terms of the broader Middle East, in terms of helping in respect of Israel-Palestine, and that strategic interest comes first, particularly in circumstances where if this prosecution had gone forward all that would have happened is that we would have had months, potentially years, of ill feeling between us and a key partner and ally and probably to no purpose.
So I am afraid in the end my role as Prime Minister is to advise on what is the best national interest, strategic interest of our country and I have absolutely no doubt at all that the right decision was taken in this regard. And I take full responsibility for the advice that I gave in respect of it, but I have no doubt at all that had we allowed this to go forward we would have done immense damage to the true interests of this country. And as I say leaving aside the fact that we would have lost thousands of highly skilled British jobs and very, very important business for British industry.
Question:
What is the message that you will deliver to Prime Minister Erdogan, and also what happened to the declaration regarding the UN solution to Cyprus that you wanted to include in the final document?
Prime Minister:
The last bit of that, you were saying what?
Question:
We know that Britain wanted to include in the final document a declaration that there must be a solution to Cyprus under the UN umbrella, what happened to this declaration? And also what will be your message to Prime Minister Erdogan?
Prime Minister:
Well I don’t think this was part of the discussion that has taken place this morning on the Question of the UN solution to Cyprus, but I will say some more about this when I get to Turkey. And I think at the moment all I would say is that I think it is very important that we maintain the momentum for Turkish accession, taking account of all the difficulties that there are, I think it is important for Turkey, it is important for Europe, it is important for the wider world and obviously we want to see a long term solution for Cyprus as well. But I think I will be able to say a little bit more about that when I get to Turkey, if you will allow me to leave it until then. But I don’t quite know what you mean about discussions or wordings in relation to these conclusions.
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