For many Europeans, the New Year is a time for one thing: New Year's resolutions.

Prime Minister, Tony Blair, would certainly agree. He has already committed to a long list of resolutions for the UK presidency of the European Union, which runs for the first six months of 1998.

The United Kingdom takes over the presidency at what Mr Blair, has called "a crucial time for the European Union."

"Big issues confront us: enlargement, the single currency, how to make Europe work for the people," Mr Blair said.

"We must ensure it tackles their priorities - jobs and prosperity, peace and progress, crime and the environment."

Tony Blair: EU members should work as a team

Mr Blair has said he wants to build support for what he calls the "third way". The focus for economic reform, he says, should be a social model that improves the employability of the European workforce.

Mr Blair also has promised that the UK will work constructively with its European partners to ensure that monetary union is launched successfully.

He hopes to secure peace, democracy and security in a wider Europe by starting enlargement negotiations.

But the presidency's influence is limited. Much depends on the stage of different pieces of legislation or planned legislation in the long and complicated procedure for passing laws in the EU.

The UK, however, does control the EU programme. During its six-month presidency, the UK will set the agenda for and chair meetings of the Council of Ministers meetings and summits.

The new EU logo was unveiled at Waterloo station

Mr Blair said his plans for the UK presidency are summed up in the new EU logo, which depicts 15 stars, designed by teams of British and European children, representing the 15 EU countries.

He said: "We want a Europe in which our countries retain their distinctive identities, as the children do in our logo, but work together to tackle common problems for the practical benefit of all."

Following the UK presidency, which ends on July 1, Austria, Germany, Finland, Portugal, France and Sweden will have a turn at the presidency.
 

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