EURO MEP Sir Graham Watson was guest speaker at the annual meeting of the European Movement's Tamar Branch on Friday.

The meeting was held at the Tamar Valley Centre in Gunnislake, which was built with the help of the EU's Objective One programme.

Sir Graham was hopeful about the prospects for the EU, saying 'History is working in our favour'. He referred to the need for effective international co-operation in a world that grows more challenging every year.

He described the recent constructive discussion between the heads of governments which led to agreement on the EU's reduced budget for the next seven years — but warned that the European Parliament would challenge the decision to allow the EU to operate with a budget deficit.

Unlike governments, all of which borrow money, the EU is not allowed to run up debts. The EU's total budget amounts to exactly one per cent of the income of all the member states.

Sir Graham, who has been a member of the European Parliament for 19 years, said he was dismayed by the British Government's plan to opt out of the European Arrest Warrant, which he helped to set up.

He said the police shared his alarm at the possible loss of this valuable tool against crime. Since the EAW came into force, 1,500 serious criminals who fled to other EU countries have been quickly brought back to Britain for trial, which they might otherwise have escaped.

Replying to a question about a possible referendum on Britain's EU membership, Sir Graham said he was not opposed to a referendum if it was what the public wanted, but he was seriously worried if it was not to be held for five years or more. He said the uncertainty about Britain's place in Europe would lead to the loss of jobs.

Sir Graham complimented the European Movement for helping to counter misinformation that circulates about the EU.

He praised the Tamar branch's latest initiative, a leaflet explaining in straight forward terms how the EU works.