The IGC is an opportunity to increase the openness and accountability of the EU institutions. The IGC should aim to make decision making in the European Union more relevant to the British people. Effectiveness Reform will also enable the Union to make progress in the areas where its failure has been all too apparent.
Progress is vital in order to safeguard Britain's fundamental economic and financial interests.
The EU has delivered substantial achievements over the past thirty-seven years. The Union provided the vital economic and constitutional framework forr a reconciliation between France and Germany in the post-war period. The single market programme has now been implemented and has provided major reduction in costs for British buisiness. The Union has also completed a major stage in the enlargement of its membership with the accession of three of the EFTA countries. It is in Britain's interest to build on the achievements of the past few years by making the next phase of enlargement possible.