Orkhan Sattarov exclusively to Vestnik Kavkaza
The relationship between the British and continental Europe has always been a bit special; this fact is quite well-known. Recent economic upheavals associated with the economic collapse of Greece, and the challenges which are currently confronting the eurozone and the EU as a whole, have once again updated this question for London: should the UK still remain a member of the EU?
German and British experts gathered in the Hall of the German Council on Foreign Relations in Berlin to discuss the prospects for the UK's membership of the European Union. The very fact that this issue has become a subject of serious discussion by experts points to its increased relevance.
Correspondent and editor of Financial Times in Germany Quentin Peel,said during the debate that the UK would like to carry as little expenditure allocated to rescue the eurozone as possible, to take on as few political commitments to Brussels as possible and to minimize its contributions to the EU budget. The UK joined the EU in 1973, guided solely by economic considerations, and it wants to continue to benefit from access to the vast European market. But since 1973, the EU has made too much of the integration steps. "The British have always wanted to be part of Europe, but it never happened in the form in which we desired it," Peel concluded, pointing to a growing scepticism in the UK about the "European idea".
Membership of the EU is increasingly becoming the subject of criticism in the UK and, therefore, an important factor in domestic political debates. Across the spectrum of British political parties, distancing themselves from Brussels is considered good form, while the British media show the EU almost always in a negative light, so it is hardly possible to distinguish facts from fiction, Peel says. Thus, the British government is under severe domestic political pressure, in which it is forced to take a hard line in its relations with Brussels and has little capacity to implement European policies.
Can the British hold a referendum on withdrawal from the EU in the near future? Most people want a new referendum, because since 1970 the form and content of the European Union have changed. Likewise, the right wing of the Conservative Party insists on this. "The UK’s withdrawal from the EU can be avoided, but it is quite likely - more and more British are inclined to it," Quentin Peel says. In that case, Britain would become the first country to come out of the EU in the history of political association. Among the politicians of the UK there is a consensus that the foundation of relations with the EU and the conditions of membership should be revised. At the moment, London is reviewing its agreements with the EU, checking which jurisdiction can be returned back to the national level. However, in internal discussions the consequences of a possible exit from the EU are completely ignored, Peel says.
Which course towards European policy will Prime Minister David Cameron choose? This is still unknown. One thing is clear: soon the British Prime Minister will have to express his attitude to the idea of a referendum, David Charters, author of "A Farewell to Europe: What if Britain Left the EU?" says. Cameron's speech on the subject has repeatedly been postponed, and it is now scheduled for January 2013.
Almut Möller, DGAP expert on the EU's future, pointed out that the situation is much more complex than is often represented, and it cannot be described in a scheme of "all against one." London is distancing itself from Brussels, but even countries such as Poland and Sweden now feel trapped on the edge of the European Union. While the eurozone should move forward under the pressure of the crisis, they are afraid to get into political dependence. Of course, keeping Britain "on board" is particularly difficult, but it is not impossible, Muller says. It is necessary to take into account the particular sensitivity of London in the matter of further European integration and to offer it a point of contact outside the format of the "euro" issue. In addition, such areas of European policy as defence and security are inconceivable without the UK at all.
"There are different means of cooperation in Europe, and we should make appropriate offers to the British." In overcoming the crisis of the eurozone, there are countries that are in the lead, and some are "out of the game." However, Germany does not want this gap between the EU member states to grow, Muller says.
