Mathieu Segers: The British now have a constructive attitude towards European integration.
Osborne, the British Chancellor of the Exchequer, presented a new blueprint for the European Union to German industrialists and businessmen in Berlin. On the radio programme EenVandaag Europe expert dr. (International and political history) on November 9 explained why this was a memorable speech: The British now have a constructive attitude towards European integration.
For the British the heart of European integration is the internal market and the main problem is the Eurozone. The British are not necessarily against a single currency, but emphasize that this should not lead to a "second-class membership" for countries that do not participate (for Britain and Scandinavian countries). Britain wants a Europe with both the Eurozone, defined in a new treaty, as well as a larger Europe which revolves around the main project: the internal market.
The coming six months the Netherlands will be President of the European Union. This period coincides with the British referendum on a "Brexit". According Segers this offers exciting opportunities for our country to constructively fill the presidency.