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Andrew

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Defence, Foreign and Security Policy

35. America is worried that the European Security and Defence Identity will undermine the Atlantic Alliance. This is untrue. The opposite is the case. Strobe Talbott, US Deputy Secretary of State, has said: "As for ESDI, I think I should repeat what I said a moment ago. There should be no confusion about America's position on the need for a stronger Europe. We are not against; we are not ambivalent; we are not anxious; we are for it. We want to see a Europe that can act effectively through the Alliance or, if NATO is not engaged, on its own. Period, end of debate."

36. The European Security and Defence Identity means the European Commission commanding British troops. This is untrue. Dame Pauline Neville-Jones, former Political Director at the Foreign Office, has said: "Under the arrangements agreed at Helsinki, responsibility for security and defence issues belongs to Javier Solana, former Secretary-General of NATO."

37. The British armed forces are worried that ESDI will mean a Euro-armyâThis is untrue. General Sir Charles Guthrie, Chief of the Defence Staff, has said: "I've never heard anyone in authority in the chain of command in this country, whether they be ministers or servicemen, talk of a European army, navy or air force. As a military man, my desire is to see an improved European military capability. There is an argument that a strong, more assertive Europe will undermine NATO. I think that is wrong."

38. ESDI involves subsuming the independent British nuclear deterrent into a "Eurobomb". This is untrue. Britain's nuclear deterrent is completely unaffected.

39. Strict EU compensation rules will force the Ministry of Defence to pay millions of pounds for low-flying RAF jets. This is untrue. The European Commission cannot propose legislation or fines for military jets.

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Andrew's work
in the European Parliament since 1999

Andrew is Vice-President of the European Parliament delegation to the Constitutional Convention on the Future of Europe.

Rights for EU citizens

Andrew drafted the Charter of Fundamental Rights which has strengthened the rights of all the citizens of the European Union.

Turkey

Andrew is working for improved links between the EU and Turkey, to encourage improvements in Turkey's human rights record and to enhance its democracy.

Andrew's campaigning in the East of England

Airport Expansion

Andrew has led calls for the Air Travel industry to be sunjected to the same rigourous environmental criteria as other modes of transport