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<p>The Government is committed to reforming the EU to the benefit of all Member States,
to make it more competitive, democratically accountable and fair for those inside
and outside the Eurozone. Political parties have set out their position on the question
of the appropriate exercise of competence in the EU. The Government’s policy is clear:
we need an EU where decisions are taken at the right level, with issues best left
to member states decided at the national level. We have already shown that such reform
is possible: cutting the EU budget; ending the UK’s bailout obligations; cutting red
tape in line with Business Taskforce recommendations; ensuring our fish stocks are
managed regionally rather than centrally, agreeing three major Trade Agreements and
launching trade talks with the US.</p><p>Support for EU reform is growing: this summer,
the President-elect of the European Commission committed to explore improving the
interaction between the Commission and national parliaments, which he recognised have
a key role to play in enforcing the principle of subsidiarity; to completing the internal
market in products and services; to creating the right regulatory environment and
promoting a climate of entrepreneurship and job creation; and to working for a deal
that “accepts the specificities of the UK in the EU, while allowing the Eurozone to
integrate further.” The European Council also recognised the need for reform. It concluded
in June that there was a need to protect the right to free movement from “misuse or
fraudulent claims” and that “the concept of ever closer union allows for different
paths of integration.”</p><p>The Government’s proposals for EU reform will continue
to respect the UK’s obligations under the existing Treaties.</p>
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