Germany wants to build bridges with the UK
 

Germany's foreign minister has suggested it can resolve differences with the UK over the future of Europe.

After holding talks with his British counterpart William Hague, Guido Westerwelle said he wanted to "build bridges over troubled waters".

Asked about the prospect of the UK eventually signing an EU-wide pact, he said "with goodwill it is doable".

But Mr Hague said the UK would not set aside its demands for safeguards on regulation for the City of London.

The UK has been asked to sit in on talks about formalising moves towards fiscal union among EU members - despite vetoing an EU treaty change to facilitate this earlier this month.
'Common future'

At a press conference in London, Mr Westerwelle said the UK was an "indispensable partner" within the EU and other EU members had no "hidden agenda" to try to rein in the City of London.

"Let me make clear that the requirements we set out at the time of the European Council remain and absolutely remain requirements for the UK”

"We are willing to build bridges over troubled waters. We have mutual interests in the EU and a common future."

Asked whether the UK could ultimately join an EU-wide agreement on common budgetary rules and oversight, should it receive the necessary assurances about its own economy, Mr Westerwelle suggested this was "doable".

"We are in this situation. Do we think we can change it or not? I think we can change it and I think we should change it. With goodwill on both sides it will be possible and I think it is in our mutual interests."

And he insisted that just as European co-operation and integration after World War II was "the answer to the darkest chapter in our history", Europe's leaders would now come up with answers to the current crisis facing them.

"For us, Europe is not only our destiny but also our desire. It is the lesson we learnt. Please understand for us Europe is much more than a currency or a single market... It is a political union we want."
'Economic situation'

Mr Hague said the UK was looking to "expand and intensify" co-operation focused on trade and delivering "tangible benefits" on jobs and productivity.

"That is what the overall economic situation demands and that is what the global situation demands," he said.

"Engagement does not stop at any point. The day of the European Council, the day after the European Council, we work closely with all our 26 partners on a wide range of issues and that has not missed a beat."

But he insisted that the UK would not be watering down its conditions for agreeing to any EU-wide pact. It rejected an agreement earlier this month, saying other EU members had not been willing to accept "modest" safeguards on financial regulation and the single market.

"Let me make clear that the requirements we set out at the time of the European Council remain and absolutely remain requirements for the UK," he said.

The two men also said Prime Minister David Cameron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel had had a "constructive" phone conversation about the way forward.

The BBC's diplomatic correspondent James Robbins said the tone of the press conference suggested a clear attempt by Berlin to calm recent tensions after 10 days of wrangling about who was to blame for the UK's decision to veto the EU agreement.


BBC News

Aww them sweeties

Well consider Germany's economy, and the state of the Uk economy, The Uk has every reason to be humble and ask for any help it can get from Germany.

Meh, we're both in the same boat, if Europe falls, both of us will suffer badly, it's best to mend bridges now rather than when its too late.

Dont think the Germans will be impressed by this piece of news:

I think we should be part of the EU but remain sceptical I think Mr Cameron is right

******* the Germans. That's my stance.

What, all of them?

Well that's better than all the digs from the damn French

Yes Very True
They need us.


We still Trade with Europe
but many are going Bankrupt.


Some Euro Banks
need to fall.
Even though it effects the world.

they are tricking us be on your guard Arista the third reich is back

No the ones that Like Sex and Poo

Yes They are Sneaky.

Yes

I would like to take refuge in your bunker if these germans are up to no good Arista

No, not all of them. Individually they are okay, collectively they worry me, especially when they start talking about a New Europe.

The Germans have been talking about a New Europe since the start of the 20th Century, if not before. They failed to do it militarily. They might manageto do it economically if their plan with France goes through.

Eurosceptics, since the mid 60's have warned about federalism and Germany taking the reigns of a united Europe.

I guess you have to admire their persistence, if not their methods. However, I do think the Brits have an inherent mistrust of the Germans... and of course, of the French. Can't see their "United Europe" ever including the UK.

I saw a comedian on TV who said, "when an American says "if it wasn't for us you'd all be speaking German", I say, I don't think so. We'd probably have a smattering". Sums up the relationship for me.

Its funny though Germany and France want to assume to all intents and purposes economic control over the rest of Europe, but then move out from under European controls themselves.

I wonder, if that does ever happen, how long before Germany somehow manages to relegate France back with the rest of the EU.

There is a bit of an urban myth about a vote early on in the formation of the US, that English was voted as the official language of the newly formed country but only by one vote. Over German.

There never was such a vote and the US population probably has never had more than about 10% Germans. But so many Americans believe it, its funny to throw it back in their face by saying and if it wasnt for English you lot would be speaking German. Incidentally the US dont actually have an official language. They use English currently however one day they may eventually switch to Spanish(LA).

The German/English vote - it's an urban myth? I've quoted that as being true... D'oh! You learn something new every day.

Yeah, I know I was told the same story by Yanks in the mid 80's, believed it for a good few years, was educated to the real story behind the myth in the 90's.

http://www.us-english.org/view/295

http://usa.usembassy.de/germanamericans-language.htm

http://www.snopes.com/language/apocryph/german.asp