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In the 20th century, European integration helped to bring peace to a continent divided by the Iron Curtain and by historic rivalries. With globalisation in the 21st century, Britain and Europe face a different set of threats, but many opportunities too. Britain can no longer pretend that we can solve the problems of the world or keep this country safe by acting alone or slavishly supporting whatever the United States decides. If we are to maintain influence in the world we must co-operate with our European partners to pursue shared objectives and values. Those countries which form part of a larger group will be better able to defend and promote their interests.
By combining our economic power, as we have done through the single market, Europe gets better trade deals around the world than if each country were to negotiate independently. The EU trade and partnership agreements with third countries, such as Israel and Russia, have the capacity to give the EU significant diplomatic influence in negotiations. These are not always fully exploited at present.
Europe acting together will be a credible ally and partner for Barack Obama’s United States. To become the partner America needs, European countries have got to take more responsibility for our own security. As well as military co-operation this will also mean working together to guarantee democracy, poverty reduction and sustainable development in other parts of the world.
Liberal Democrats believe that working together with other countries through international bodies such as the UN, NATO and the EU is the best way to ensure Britain’s security. We believe that a more united Europe will have more influence to implement shared values such as democracy, open markets, human rights, international development and the rule of law.
Britain isolated in Europe would have little chance to make a real difference in areas where conflict or instability can impact directly on our national interests such as Africa, the Middle East or Russia. The unquestioning support by Labour and the Conservatives for President Bush and the invasion of Iraq left Britain isolated and without having much say over what was decided in Washington. By turning its back on Europe, the Conservatives would speed up the relative decline in British power.
Liberal Democrats support the development of the EU's common foreign and security and defence policies which began under the previous Conservative government and have developed further under Labour. We support the changes proposed in the Lisbon Treaty, such as merging the external relations functions of the Council and Commission, which would enhance Europe’s ability to deliver more co-ordinated foreign policy. We believe Britain should retain its seat on a reformed and expanded UN Security Council and agree positions where possible with other European countries sitting on the Security Council.
Supporting Defence Co-operation: Liberal Democrats believe that NATO remains the bedrock of our collective security and do not believe in the need for a European army. Britain should retain its veto on defence decisions including over the deployment of British troops. We want the EU to be able to undertake peace-keeping missions in agreement with NATO. We support closer defence co-operation in Europe and want British forces to play a leading role in EU peace keeping and humanitarian missions in places like Kosovo, Darfur or the Democratic Republic of Congo. Defence co-operation in Europe will help increase military capabilities and improve the European contribution to NATO. We support the work of the European Defence Agency to help improve overall European defence capability for NATO and Europe and encourage more European countries to shoulder their full share of the burden. All EU countries could save money and get better equipment for our armed forces if defence markets were opened up to competition. Britain is well placed with a strong defence industry to benefit from sales of equipment to fellow EU and NATO members.
Supporting Enlargement: Enlargement of the European Union has helped spread democracy, human rights and prosperity through the continent of Europe. The prospect of eventual membership is bringing about lasting change in the Balkans. The EU is still adapting to its expansion to 27 member states, but Liberal Democrats welcome the prospect of further enlargement in due course and support future membership for Turkey. We would also encourage countries such as Norway, Switzerland and Iceland to join the EU.
Engaging Russia: Europe needs to diminish its reliance on Russian energy resources. Relations with Russia present one of the greatest challenges for the European Union. European nations should not fall into the trap of allowing Russia to divide us in order to weaken us as it has tried to do over energy policy. Liberal Democrats believe the EU should adopt a unified approach to Russia that enables Europe to have a positive but firm relationship with its largest neighbour.
World Trade: The best way for Britain to shape the way that world trade develops is to be a strong player inside the EU, working to keep Europe competitive and pressing for an increasingly open world economy. Liberal Democrats want the EU to promote a world trading system that is both free and fair. That means a liberal and open system that increases growth and jobs, but that takes account of environmental and social standards too. The EU has a key role to play in salvaging the Doha development round of the World Trade Organisation, including eliminating production subsidies in agriculture and trade barriers.
International Development: The UK lags behind some of our EU partners in overseas aid and development. Liberal Democrats are committed to increasing the UK’s spending on overseas aid to reach the UN target of 0.7% of GNP and believe all EU states should work to the same target where they have not already achieved it. EU development assistance should be targeted at reducing poverty and disease, and humanitarian aid must be allocated on the basis of need. Economic partnership agreements between the EU and developing countries should be flexible and include adequate transition periods to ensure that developing countries will be able to compete in world markets.
