Press Release

Global Vision says EU's 50th Anniversary should be time for rebirth, not entrenching yesterday's solution 

Global Vision, the new business backed campaign group, said today that the EU is right to feel a real sense of achievement for the role it had played over the last 50 years in helping bring an unprecedented period of peace and prosperity to post war Europe.

However, in marking this real success, Europe must recognise that the old integrationist model born of this post war era is now outdated - and no longer reflects the needs of a more global 21st Century. Rather than entrenching yesterday's solution- as this weekend's Berlin declaration is expected to call for - the EU needs to be reinvented as a new, more flexible alliance that reflects the new challenges of the next 50 years.

This is especially important for Britain. As one of the largest global trading nations, Britain needs freedom from the EU's stultifying red tape and protectionism in order to prosper for the benefit of all.

Ruth Lea, Global Vision's Director, said:

"The EU successfully addressed Europe's problems of the 20th century but it completely fails to face up to the challenges of the future. It is old-fashioned, rigid and inward looking. Instead of pushing ahead with the further integration, the EU should realise that Europe's future is about flexibility, freedom and a global vision. Britain should lead the way by negotiating a freer relationship so others may follow."

Lord Blackwell, Global Vision's Chairman, said:

"With the impetus for trade and growth now switching to emerging power economies such as India and China, Europe should be transformed into a looser and more outward looking alliance based on free trade and cooperation. The UK should use the discussions over the Constitutional Treaty to put our new vision on the table, opting out of political and economic integration if the others are determined to push ahead with the current outdated model."