Berlin seeks to heal EU rift with London

The united Kingdom is an 'indispens­able partner' in the European Union and one with whom Germany wants to 'build bridges', Guido Westerwelle, Foreign Minister insisted on the 19 December 2011 as Berlin pressed on with efforts to try to limit damage to Anglo-EU relations.

After the recent war of words between London and Paris, Guido Westerwelle used a visit to London to emphasise that the German government did not want to see Britain shifting to the margins of Europe.

The German minister appeared at pains to avoid giving any impression that Berlin felt angered by Britain’s decision to block moves to enshrine eurozone fiscal co-operation in an EU treaty change.

ESO: Background information: Memo to Merkel: it’s time to leave Britain behind http://www.europeansources.info/record/memo-to-merkel-its-time-to-leave-britain-behind/

ESO: Background information: UK strikes back at French criticism http://www.europeansources.info/record/uk-strikes-back-at-french-criticism/

BBC News, 19.12.11: Germany wants to 'build bridges' with UK over Europe http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-16245469

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