Miliband's Vision for Europe as a Model Power

NeilF Fri Nov 16, 2007 at 01:55:24 PM GMT Print-friendly version Facebook

This week David Miliband gave a landmark speech in Bruges on Britain's future within Europe.




In stark contrast to Thatcher's Eurosceptical speech 19 years previous, Miliband paints a positive picture. There are many stand-out highlights, but among it include four clear principles:

1) Europe must be open and look outwards
2) Common principles can overcome cultural tensions
3) Further enlargement will extend prosperity
4) Shared activities bring us closer within Europe

The full speech can be read here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7097162.stm

I get the feeling that this is a really important speech. It contributes to a progressive and pragmatic vision of Europe.  As a pro-European I welcome it.   
 

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Miliband's Vision for Europe as a Model Power | 12 comments (12 topical)

Re: Miliband's Vision for Europe as a Model Power (#1)

by Radford Mann on Fri Nov 16, 2007 at 04:44:17 PM GMT

Yes, there was some good stuff in Miliband's speech. However, there was more to disagree with than agree. Admittedly I'm just an old fashioned federalist who would have preferred that the EU had stuck at twelve countries and moved closer politically and monetarily and so obviously I would oppose further expansion of its membership. That doesn't mean that I'm opposed to having an economic relationship with other European countries, just that as a political project the EU was better when it was smaller. Expansion has effectively brought an end to the EU as a proto-state.

The other thing in Miliband's speech that was objectionable was his belief that the EU should not be afraid of using 'hard' force and intervening militarily. Again, my vision is different. My vision is one where the EU works closely together to secure its own defence but doesn't get involved in military adventures. Participation in UN sanctioned peace keeping missions would be OK.


Re: Miliband's Vision for Europe as a Model Power (#2)

by swatantra on Sat Nov 17, 2007 at 09:29:50 AM GMT

Likewise, a bit worried about Millibands vision. I always thought that expansion was a mistake; the Eastern block countries had little in common with the Western and we've now antagonised Russia, creating even more insecurity. The inclusion of Turkey would be a mistake; its a Middle Eastern  power. The point about intervention militarily in disputes, ok, as long as its inside Europe and not in foreign wars. I can see potential conflicts already buildng up in Poland, and the former Yugoslav Republics; send the troops there; or when Georgia and Ukraine join.


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Re: Miliband's Vision for Europe as a Model Power (#3)

by NorthernMonkey on Sat Nov 17, 2007 at 01:36:11 PM GMT

I fully support the EU expanding to include other European countries, but expanding into North Africa and the Middle East? I mean come on...it won't be the European Union then will it? I still fail to understand why government ministers seem to be so keen for Turkey to join - it will be the EU's downfall if it does.


Re: Miliband's Vision for Europe as a Model Power (#4)

by swatantra on Sat Nov 17, 2007 at 02:58:27 PM GMT

They want Turkey in to show that they are being inclusive in having a Muslim country in, but its the wrong reason!!! Turkey has more of a role to play in the Middle East; after all it was the Ottoman Empire in Palestine Iraq and Syria that left its legacy on present Middle Eastern politics. 


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Re: Miliband's Vision for Europe as a Model Power (#5)

by RedRooster on Sat Nov 17, 2007 at 03:39:11 PM GMT

Turkey is a massive part of European history.  Most of what we consider to be 'European' history at the time of the Roman Empires is more accurately considered as Mediterranean history- which Anatolia played an integral part in.  The Ottoman Empire held elements of both east and west, and Atartuk's policy of secularisation was based on the European model.

The whole point of the EU isn't to get all the people who look the same under one umbrella- it's supposed to provide institutional support for greater regional stability.  I'd agree that the EU still has a massive job to do to enhance stability in the Balkans and with Russia, but really, does anyone seriously believe that there isn't a job to do with Turkey as well?


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Re: Miliband's Vision for Europe as a Model Power (#6)

by NorthernMonkey on Sat Nov 17, 2007 at 11:07:29 PM GMT

I can't agree that Turkey is a European nation today. Geographically, the vast majority of Turkey lies in Asia. I know the same point can be made about Cyprus, but Cyprus is a tiny nation which is strongly tied with Greece (at least the Southern half) so its inclusion is neither here nor there. But Turkey is a colossal country and its inclusion in the EU would turn the union on its head.

I think the EU needs to focus on doing a better job with the 27 nations it has at present and if it does expand, at least only expand into Europe proper rather than trying to make it an Eurasian Union, which will unleash a whole manner of new problems.


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Re: Miliband's Vision for Europe as a Model Power (#12)

by rwendland on Tue Nov 20, 2007 at 12:12:48 AM GMT

If Turkey joins the EU, I don't see how we can really not allow North African states join eventually. e.g. Tunis, Algiers, Rabat and Tripoli are all a lot closer to Brussels than Ankara, and transport across the Med is easy.

It's easily forgotten that the the eastern Turkish border is further east than Moscow and Baghdad, and the EU would have a border with Iraq and Iran. We have to decide on a geographic limit to the EU somewhere, and Turkey is too far into Asia.


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Re: Miliband's Vision for Europe as a Model Power (#7)

by NorthernMonkey on Sat Nov 17, 2007 at 11:16:28 PM GMT

Seems Miliband wasn't allowed to be 'let off the leish' and say what he truly felt. Mr. Brown felt intervention was necessary...

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article2879884.ece


Re: Miliband's Vision for Europe as a Model Power (#8)

by NorthernMonkey on Sun Nov 18, 2007 at 02:41:24 AM GMT

...And it's also come out that Miliband's pretty angry about the whole thing:

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/politics/story/0,,2212798,00.html


Re: Miliband's Vision for Europe as a Model Power (#9)

by treborc on Sun Nov 18, 2007 at 10:04:19 PM GMT

Yes but if we are to be part of the EU like he and Brown says why the hell do we fight over the so called red lines or veto's, I mean if your in your in, if your not going to join in then come out.


Re: Miliband's Vision for Europe as a Model Power (#10)

by JM on Sun Nov 18, 2007 at 10:12:44 PM GMT

"why the hell do we fight over the so called red lines or veto's"

Because it's not about "in or out" of the EU. It's about what kind of EU we want to build.


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Re: Miliband's Vision for Europe as a Model Power (#11)

by treborc on Mon Nov 19, 2007 at 12:12:15 PM GMT

I do not see it that way if your in the EU you fight from within, you do not have veto's on such things as working times, or holidays or employment law, because thats a cop out.

You fight for your rights within the EU not standing out side saying I will veto this or that. and if you lose you get on with it.

I am disabled in part to a doctor who had worked 48 hours without sleep giving me an injection twice, I nearly lost my life. yet Blair had to be forced to bring in the working overtime initiative.


Miliband's Vision for Europe as a Model Power | 12 comments (12 topical)