David Cameron to monitor EU treaty

After attending an EU summit yesterday, Mr Cameron said that the new treaty would not encroach on British interests and instead would lead to greater fiscal co-operation between its members.

Although the UK and Czech Republic haven’t actually signed the treaty, Mr Cameron said he would be watching it “like a hawk” to make sure British interests were not under threat.

“(The EU) have today agreed on a new treaty focused on tighter fiscal discipline which we agree is essential,” the Prime Minister said.

Stating that the EU had made real progress in dealing with its economic problems, the prime minister said it still had a long way to go and had to sort out jobs and growth:

“Growth must be the number one priority every time we meet. My message to other leaders was to be bold and decisive. European Union action should match the ambition we are showing back home.”

When asked why he didn’t sign the treaty, David Cameron explained:

”We don’t want to hold up the eurozone doing what is necessary to solve the crisis as long as it doesn’t damage our national interests, so it’s good that the new treaty states clearly that it cannot encroach upon the competences of the Union and that they must not take measures that undermine the EU single market.”

At the last EU summit, Mr Cameron caused controversy by vetoing the treaty, claiming it wasn’t good for British interests.

At the talks yesterday, he reminded members of this and warned that if was pushed he might do it again:

”We will only take action if our national interests are threatened – and I made clear today that we will be watching this closely.’

Caption: David Cameron greeting Angela Merkel at the summit.

Tom Chapman