Mandelson vows to be 'dedicated team player'

BRUSSELS: Britain's EU Commissioner-designate, Mr Peter Mandelson, vowed yesterday to be a "dedicated team player" if his appointment…

BRUSSELS: Britain's EU Commissioner-designate, Mr Peter Mandelson, vowed yesterday to be a "dedicated team player" if his appointment was confirmed.

He said he had always been pro-European - even in the "dark days" of the British Labour Party. And he told Euro MPs at a hearing in Brussels: "I do not share the half-in, half-out attitude to the EU of some in Britain. Britain's place is in Europe."

Mr Mandelson was appearing before the European Parliament's International Trade Committee as part of the confirmation process before the new commission team starts work on November 1st.

Mr Mandelson was facing questions about his suitability to be Europe's commissioner in charge of international trade negotiations, as well as questioning from political opponents about his ability to play an independent role and not to be beholden to the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair.

READ MORE

Mr Mandelson, who is to be appointed Trade Commissioner, said he would work for global prosperity and social justice through more open rules-based trade for the benefit of all, and particularly the poorest in the world. He added he was not a simplistic "liberal" when it came to trade.

"I certainly believe that we gain through open trade and liberalisation. But for me liberalisation is not an end in itself. It is a means for creating a better and more just society and improving people's lives."

Mr Mandelson went on: "As a member of the new commission, I hope to make a contribution to the two new main challenges facing Europe today.

"First, to revitalise Europe's economic dynamism so that our societies can offer better and less precarious jobs, wider social opportunities and new life chances to the millions today deprived of them.

"Second, to help Europe become an effective force for good in the world as the best guarantee of our future security.

"Where people are given hope, they will be less willing to take up the weapons of hopelessness."

Mr Mandelson's speech triggered mild applause, and then it was straight in to searching questions from MEPs.

The first question came from British Conservative MEP Mr Robert Sturdy, who wanted to know if Mr Mandelson would be supporting Commission moves to scrap Britain's rebate on the money it pays into the EU.

"You will understand if I reserve my judgment on that matter. I am sure the UK government will make a robust case on that when the time comes," he said.