The 1996 inter-governmental conference should aim to reach agreement on a single-speed Europe that allows full participation by all Member States in the future development of the Union.

During the discussions prior to the Single European Act and the Maastricht Treaty, individual Member States advocated widely differing positions on the steps which should be taken to advance the process of integration. However, these discussions eventually led to agreements to which all Member States could subscribe, admittedly with varying degrees of enthusiasm.

It is inevitable that in the context of the 1996 inter-governmental conference, national governments will again have varying opinions on the future direction of the Union. Member States should not be tied to the pace advocated either by the slowest or by the fastest mover in these negotiations. Instead, individual governments should seek to persuade their partners of the merits of their own particular positions.

A multi-speed Europe has been advocated in the past, particularly by those who favour a fast-track approach to European integration. It did not find favour then with the majority of Member States, nor should it be allowed to do so on this occasion. The European Union's success has been and in my view will continue to be based upon consensus agreement between the individual Member States to move forward together at an agreed pace.