This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-33265361
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Queen speaks of need for unity in Europe | Queen speaks of need for unity in Europe |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The Queen has spoken of the need for unity in Europe in a speech to German and UK leaders. | The Queen has spoken of the need for unity in Europe in a speech to German and UK leaders. |
| The UK monarch, who was at a state banquet in Berlin as part of a four-day visit to Germany, said that "division in Europe is dangerous". | The UK monarch, who was at a state banquet in Berlin as part of a four-day visit to Germany, said that "division in Europe is dangerous". |
| Her speech was made in the presence of German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Prime Minister David Cameron, who wants to reform the UK's EU membership. | Her speech was made in the presence of German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Prime Minister David Cameron, who wants to reform the UK's EU membership. |
| Buckingham Palace stressed the comments were not about Mr Cameron's EU aims. | |
| Ms Merkel and Mr Cameron earlier met for talks ahead of an EU summit in Brussels. | |
| 'Common endeavour' | 'Common endeavour' |
| The Queen, who as head of state remains politically neutral, told the banquet in Bellevue Palace, the official residence of Germany's president Joachim Gauck: "In our lives, we have seen the worst but also the best of our continent. | The Queen, who as head of state remains politically neutral, told the banquet in Bellevue Palace, the official residence of Germany's president Joachim Gauck: "In our lives, we have seen the worst but also the best of our continent. |
| "We have witnessed how quickly things can change for the better. | "We have witnessed how quickly things can change for the better. |
| "But we know that we must work hard to maintain the benefits of the post-war world. | "But we know that we must work hard to maintain the benefits of the post-war world. |
| "We know that division in Europe is dangerous and that we must guard against it in the west, as well as in the east, of our continent. That remains a common endeavour." | "We know that division in Europe is dangerous and that we must guard against it in the west, as well as in the east, of our continent. That remains a common endeavour." |
| Later a Buckingham Palace aide said: "This is not about the EU. The queen is apolitical. She would never make a political point." | |
| The aide said the Queen had been referring to risks of wider differences dividing the continent. | |
| Mr Gauck said in his banquet speech that the EU needed the UK and it would support a "constructive dialogue" on the reforms Mr Cameron wanted. | Mr Gauck said in his banquet speech that the EU needed the UK and it would support a "constructive dialogue" on the reforms Mr Cameron wanted. |
| He said the EU was facing "major challenges" and that "an effective European Union" was "based on a stable foundation of shared values". | He said the EU was facing "major challenges" and that "an effective European Union" was "based on a stable foundation of shared values". |
| "A constructive dialogue on the reforms Britain wants to see is therefore essential," he said. | "A constructive dialogue on the reforms Britain wants to see is therefore essential," he said. |
| "As a good partner, Germany will support this dialogue. For Britain is part of Europe. The European Union needs Britain. | "As a good partner, Germany will support this dialogue. For Britain is part of Europe. The European Union needs Britain. |
| "A united Europe, a strong European Union, represent stability, peace and freedom - for us all." | "A united Europe, a strong European Union, represent stability, peace and freedom - for us all." |
| Mr Cameron has said he wants to reform the UK's membership of the EU before holding an in/out referendum in 2017. | Mr Cameron has said he wants to reform the UK's membership of the EU before holding an in/out referendum in 2017. |