British FM warns against giving EU greater power in bid to overcome eurozone crisis

BERLIN – Britain’s foreign secretary is urging euro members to overcome their debt crisis without centralizing more decision-making for the entire 27-nation European Union.

William Hague conceded that the 17 countries that use the euro face an “immensely difficult” task in working out a new governance structure.

But he warned against imposing a model that excludes EU members who don’t use the common currency — such as Britain.

At a conference in Berlin Tuesday, Hague voiced his concern that the 17-country eurozone could make decisions “before the others have even met

He also dismissed the idea of strengthening the bloc’s foreign policy and military co-operation, saying that matters of war and peace can never be decided by a majority of the 27 members.

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