Cook claims xenophobia is stalling Europe

Date: 14/03/02

By Martin Banks

EUROPE will never be fully united unless it stops 'ducking' the growing problem of xenophobia, claims the leader of the Party of European Socialists.

'We will only defeat the right-wing if we openly and confidently challenge the xenophobia they peddle,' said Robin Cook, who is also the leader of the UK House of Commons, at a Brussels meeting of European socialists.

'From Austria to Denmark, the advance of the far right has been built on hostility to the foreigner and opposition to international migration.'

Cook, the former UK foreign secretary, added that Europe 'will never advance by ducking that argument'.

In a reference to the emergence of right-wing administrations in some member states, including Austria and Denmark, Cook said: 'A right-wing that has difficulty with ethnic diversity at home will also have difficulty taking the steps to integration necessary to build a successful and united Europe.'

Cook also said he 'flatly' rejected the 'defeatism' of those who suggest that it will be impossible for Europe to maintain a forward momentum after enlargement has taken place.

'The same defeatists would have told us when Europe was six that it would lose momentum in a Europe of 15.

'On the contrary, Europe now shows more vitality than ever before.'

Europe will never be fully united unless it stops 'ducking' the growing problem of xenophobia, claims the leader of the Party of European Socialists, Robin Cook.