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EU treaty 'needs to work for UK' EU treaty 'needs to work for UK'
(10 minutes later)
The revised EU treaty will have to be in Britain's national interests for the government to accept it, Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett has said.The revised EU treaty will have to be in Britain's national interests for the government to accept it, Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett has said.
The UK will also not accept "cosmetic change" to the treaty, which was rejected by two countries, she said.The UK will also not accept "cosmetic change" to the treaty, which was rejected by two countries, she said.
She added that member states still had "strong differences" over the treaty.She added that member states still had "strong differences" over the treaty.
Germany, which is chairing a leaders' summit this week, is pushing for a deal that will preserve the substance of the original constitution document.Germany, which is chairing a leaders' summit this week, is pushing for a deal that will preserve the substance of the original constitution document.
Mrs Beckett told the BBC's Sunday AM programme: "We do not want to see a constitutional treaty or a treaty that has the characteristics of a constitution.Mrs Beckett told the BBC's Sunday AM programme: "We do not want to see a constitutional treaty or a treaty that has the characteristics of a constitution.
We're not interested in doing things for the sake of cosmetic change Margaret BeckettForeign SecretaryWe're not interested in doing things for the sake of cosmetic change Margaret BeckettForeign Secretary
"We will look at anything that will tidy up the rule book of the EU now that we are 27 and not 12 or 15 [member states]."We will look at anything that will tidy up the rule book of the EU now that we are 27 and not 12 or 15 [member states].
"But we will look at it on the basis of does this work for Britain, is this in our national interests and will it make the European Union more effective as an operation."But we will look at it on the basis of does this work for Britain, is this in our national interests and will it make the European Union more effective as an operation.
"We're not interested in doing things for the sake of cosmetic change.""We're not interested in doing things for the sake of cosmetic change."
The constitution was signed by EU member states in 2004, but was rejected by French and Dutch voters in referendums in 2005. German Chancellor Angela Merkel wants to steer EU leaders towards a new treaty which will give the EU a "single legal personality" and a legally-binding Charter of Fundamental Rights.
British, French and Dutch politicians have argued that the treaty must be simplified to prevent the need for further referendums. This could give British workers new rights to go on strike.
There is also the prospect of more majority voting including in criminal law and foreign policy - both areas where Prime Minister Tony Blair has pledged to preserve British sovereignty.
'Nerve-wracking'
"We have very clear concerns - among them are things like we would not accept being required to change our social and labour laws," Mrs Beckett said."We have very clear concerns - among them are things like we would not accept being required to change our social and labour laws," Mrs Beckett said.
She said it was "slightly nerve-wracking" that Germany, which holds the EU presidency, had not yet been clear about its proposals.She said it was "slightly nerve-wracking" that Germany, which holds the EU presidency, had not yet been clear about its proposals.
"And it is clear that there are really quite strong differences of views still from member states," said."And it is clear that there are really quite strong differences of views still from member states," said.
Asked about media reports that Prime Minister Tony Blair could become the EU's first full-time permanent president, the foreign secretary said it was "singularly unlikely". The constitution was signed by EU member states in 2004, but was rejected by French and Dutch voters in referendums in 2005.
Asked about media reports that Mr Blair could become the EU's first full-time permanent president, the foreign secretary said it was "singularly unlikely".
"My understanding is that he is leaving full-time politics.""My understanding is that he is leaving full-time politics."