I would find it difficult to call the treaty of Nice a success unless we make advances in external trade questions, tax provisions that affect the functioning of the single market, asylum and immigration, social policy and structural funds. It is crucial to improve the way we take our decisions. Our competitors know they are dealing with a community where every member has a veto - and the opportunity is there for our rivals to play us off against each other. Europe depends on trade for its prosperity and its employment. Rules governing our decision-making in this area were written at a time when the community consisted of six member countries and commercial policy was mainly about reducing technical barriers to movement of goods.
European companies depend on our ability to defend their interests.
If we are not able to open foreign markets or ensure sufficient protection for our cultural or industrial productions, jobs will suffer. Trade policy is not a theological debate, but a policy with very practical consequences for European employment. I understand how sensitive taxation policy is some countries. They are a matter for national budgets. I am not against a reasonable degree of tax competition, either, which is essential for a healthy economy and good for consumers.