The Obama Administration has warned Britain that it risks damaging its relationship with Washington if it abandons the European Union.
Speaking on a visit to London, Philip Gordon, Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia, said that the EU had “increasing weight” in the world and made plain that it would be wise for the UK to retain its influence in Brussels.
In the first glimpse of the approach of President Obama towards Britain and Europe since his re-election in November, Mr Gordon reaffirmed the historic importance of BritainÂ’s relationship with Washington. But he said that the EU was seen as an increasingly important partner across the Atlantic on issues such as growth, jobs and the threat of a nuclear Iran.
Speaking just weeks before David Cameron is expected to promise a referendum on Europe in a long-awaited speech, he cautioned that such referenda could “turn countries inwards.” He added: “Every hour at an EU summit spent debating the institutional make-up of the European Union is one less hour spent talking about how we can solve our common challenges of growth, jobs and international peace around the world.” |