EU reforms would benefit other nations, says George Osborne

George Osborne will tell European leaders during a whistlestop tour of capital cities that Britain’s bid to reform the EU will also benefit their nations.

The chancellor is visiting Helsinki, Stockholm and Copenhagen to build support for the UK’s demands for a new settlement in Brussels.

 During meetings with Sweden’s prime minister Stefan Löfven and Denmark’s premier Lars Løkke Rasmussen, as well as foreign and finance ministers, he will say that reform is key to the future of the EU. Osborne will also argue that a wave of public support for change across Europe makes it the right time to act.

 David Cameron has promised to renegotiate the UK’s relationship with the EU before an in/out referendum and talks have begun between British officials and counterparts in Brussels.

 Osborne’s meetings will focus on expanding trade with burgeoning economies as well as protecting the rights of non-eurozone countries as the single currency block integrates further.

But the chancellor is keen to show that reforms can be achieved in Brussels if Britain and likeminded countries work together and will point to cuts secured in the EU budget in 2013.Osborne will carry out a series of media interviews in the capital cities as he attempts to winwider support in Europe.

The latest visits are part of a series of meetings Osborne has scheduled in Europe over the next few months to build on the whirlwind round of discussions Cameron held with counterparts following the Conservatives’ general election victory.

 Osborne will say: “This government has been given a very clear mandate to renegotiate Britain’s relationship with the rest of the EU and to reform the EU so it works for all its citizens. We are determined to deliver a new settlement for Europe that works for everyone within it.

 “The results of our efforts will be put to the British people in a referendum and they will decide. As part of that, our process of renegotiation must include engaging actively with our key partners in Europe and that’s why today’s meetings in Finland, Sweden and Denmark are so important.”

theguardian.com