Attitudes To Europe Flashcards
What did the British gov want to do in Europe between 1997-2007
-br gov wanted use Br position to build diplomatic bridge between Europeans + Americans
-attempts as partial success + relations Br, Europe + US under great strain by pose Cold War conflicts in balkans + Middle East
What did people hope new Labour would do with Europe
-hoped new labour transform Br role in EU as Blair already called to develop new, more positive relationship with EU e.g. opting back into European social chapter
-Blair on high plural standing + good relations with European leaders which allowed Br leading role negotiating EU expansion Treaty of Nice 2001
How did Blair highlight new Labour’s enthusiasm with Europe
-Blair enthusiastic about possibility br join European euro currency set up by treaty of Maastricht 1992
-but Chancellor brown less keen on setting up list of econ conditions that had been met before Br gave up pound but his post was stringent + unlikely be met
How did Blair want to strengthen the EU’s role in the wider world
-Blair enthusiastic about strengthening EU role in wide world by leading European initiatives on issues like climate change, world trade + ‘make poverty history’ by reforming aid to Africa
-br also centre of efforts develop European strategy against global terrors following 9/11 2001
What happened to the EU by 2007
-by 2997 EU expanded to 27 states
-rapid development forced changes in EUs nature + methods of making decisions
But how did the EU pose difficult challenges to the UK
-EU presented difficult challenges for Br foreign policy
-EU started as ‘the six’ + now becoming more political as states of ‘new Europe’ (former communist USSR) bound play prominent role
-Br policy makings had to decide how much Br to be ‘at the heart of Europe’
What was Br’s reputation like in Europe following Blair’s 2007 resignation
-when Blair resigned 2007 his personal prestige in Europe still high enjoying excellent relations with some states leaders like Fr pres Sarkozy
But despite this lasting good relations what achievements had been made
-few concrete achievements
-progress with climate change + aid in Africa slow, br unlikely join Euro, attempts reform workings of EU ended in new constitution proposals rejected + new diluted reform scheme presented as Lisbon Treaty end 2007 but aroused controversy with no certainty all 27 states ratify
What were the key events in Europe from 1997 to 2004
-1997 - treaty of Amsterdam — amendment + consolidation of treaties
-1999 - launch of the euro by Br failure to join due to disagreements
-2001 - treaty of nice — reform institutions to cope with expansion
-2004 - expansion EU from 15 to 25 states incl Malta, Estonia etc.
-2004 - also establishment of constitution
What were the key events in Europe in 2007
-2007 - enlargement of EU to 27 states with Bulgaria + Romania
-2007 - Treaty of Lisbon — increase efficiency + democracy replacing 2004 constitution
