Sarkozy tells Cameron: 'Stop telling us what to do'
The Prime Minister David Cameron has been criticised by the French Prime Minister, Nicolas Sarkozy for giving unwanted advice on how to deal with the sovereign debt crisis in Europe.
Mr Cameron has pushed for all 27 members of the European Union (EU) to attend a crunch meeting on Wednesday, where it is hoped that an agreement on how to solve the euro debt crisis will be formalised.
It was previously expected that just the 17 members of the single currency would attend Wednesday’s meeting. However, plans to change the EU’s treaty if necessary to find a solution to the crisis has prompted Mr Cameron to negotiate Britain’s involvement in Wednesday’s meeting to ensure no changes are made that affect the UK without the Prime Minister being a party to such decisions.
Mr Cameron emerged from the meeting saying that he had secured safeguards to ensure that Britain’s interests within the EU were protected.
In a statement he spoke about the possibility of treaty change: "This must not be at the expense of Britain's national interest. I have secured a commitment today that we must safeguard the interests of countries that want to stay outside the euro, particularly with respect to the integrity of the single market for all 27 countries of the EU."
However, President Sarkozy believes the meeting on Wednesday should involve just the 17 countries who use the euro and he criticised the UK for unhelpful advice over the euro debt crisis. Mr Sarkozy was quoted as saying to Mr Cameron, “We are sick of you criticising us and telling us what to do.”
Yesterday morning all 27 members of the EU held talks on the Greek debt crisis, increasing the bailout capability of the eurozone’s rescue fund, the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) and recapitalising the banks.
In the afternoon, further talks went on with just the 17 countries that use the single currency.
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Mr Cameron said that the EU needed to build on the success of Saturday’s meeting when a draft deal was agreed on recapitalising the banks. The deal will see €100 billion advanced to banks from the EFSF, national governments and commercial investors. However, this is conditional on a wider accord, including a write-down of Greek debt.
After the meeting yesterday afternoon, in a joint press conference, Mr Sarkozy and German Chancellor, Angela Merkel said that an agreement was taking shape on increasing the bailout fund.
Mr Sarkozy and Mrs Merkel held talks with the Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi and insisted that Italy do more to increase growth, cut its debt and restore the trust of investors.
Meanwhile, EU President Herman Van Rompuy said that alterations to the treaty were under discussion and that this would likely involve closer economic ties.
It is this statement that alerted Mr Cameron to feel that he needs to be involved in any decision made on Wednesday.
Mr Van Rompuy said after the meeting: "The aim is deepening our economic convergence and strengthening economic discipline. We also said that we would need the agreement of all the 27 (member states) before we can decide on a treaty change."
Back in the UK Mr Cameron and the Conservative government are facing a possible rebellion from Conservative MP’s over a decision to authorise a referendum on Britain’s EU membership. Up to 80 MPs have vowed to defy the party line and vote for a referendum.
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