Ex-PM: quitting EU would be "huge problem" for UKFebruary 3, 2013 - 18:30 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - It would be a "huge problem" for the UK if people vote to leave the European Union, former Prime Minister Tony Blair has warned, according to BBC News. David Cameron has promised an in/out referendum before the end of 2017 if the Tories win the next election. He says the UK's relationship with the EU needs to change. But Blair said a decision to quit would reduce the UK's "weight" in the world and there would be "uncertainty" in the lead-up to the vote. In a speech last month, Cameron promised an in/out referendum before 2018, following a renegotiation at government level. This came amid growing concern among many Conservatives over developments within the EU, particularly over the effects of increasing financial and political integration by eurozone member states. But Blair, who was Labor prime minister from 1997 to 2007, told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show: "We are in an uncertain situation. They [people in Europe] ask me if Britain's going to get out of Europe. I can't answer that question conclusively now." Cameron's pledge was not "sensible", he said, adding: "We are in a situation where, four or five years down the line, there's uncertainty. "If Britain did want to get out of Europe, it would be a huge problem for our country." Blair also said: "If we want to exercise weight and influence and power in the world, why would we want to separate ourselves from the biggest political union and economic market on our doorstep?" But Cameron's supporters argue the EU is out-of-touch, too expensive and unsupportive of the UK's national interest and that a looser, more purely economic, relationship would be better for both sides. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | 17 bridges collapse as a result of floods in Armenia As a result of floods in Armenia’s northern Lori and Tavush provinces, 17 bridges, including five large ones, have collapsed. Armenia: Top cleric to retain title as he bids to become interim PM Galstanyan said earlier that the interim government would be tasked with stopping the “destruction of our homeland”. Ex-mayor of Karabakh capital arrested in Yerevan Ex-mayor of the Nagorno-Karabakh city of Stepanakert David Sargsyan has been arrested for 20 days. 269 people evacuated amid severe floods in Armenia’s north According to the Interior Ministry, 269 people have been evacuated from their homes in Lori and Tavush provinces. |