Britain yesterday sought to clarify its attitude towards Europe and the proposed single currency in a bid to head off fears among other European governments that it was turning cold on the project.
After Britain's announcement last week ruling out joining European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) for at least five years, policymakers are concerned that Britain will not fully embrace its responsibilities in Europe.
Britain will take up the six-month European Union revolving presidency on January 1 next year and some officials are worried that work preparing for EMU may slow during Britain's tenure.
Foreign Secretary Robin Cook declared that Britain would use the EU presidency to give EMU the 'best start' possible.
In a speech to the Institute of European Affairs in Dublin, Mr Cook also called for a greater enlargement of the EU to include some eastern European countries, and promised not to politicise any EMU decisions that may have to be made in the run-up to its start scheduled for January 1, 1999.
'Even though we will not be taking part in the first wave in 1999, it is still in our interests that it should succeed,' Mr Cook said. 'We will use our presidency to give EMU the best start we possibly can.' His comments came as Bank of England governor Eddie George said Britain would be orienting its thinking towards joining EMU.
