Mr Major’s Doorstep Interview in Corfu (I) – 24 June 1994

Below is the transcript of Mr Major’s doorstep interview in Corfu on Friday 24th June 1994.

QUESTION:

How significant is today for the future of Europe, do you think?

PRIME MINISTER:

I think there are two very important agreements to be signed today, firstly the Accession Agreement for the EFTA countries to join the Community, that is something we have wished to see for a long time. The Community isn’t complete as twelve, sixteen is more complete with twenty later even more complete and of course the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with Russia is a remarkable step forward; it will help open the European market to Russian exports and the Russian market to European exports and European investment so I think that is a very welcome development.

QUESTION:

Do you think you are going to be able to reach agreement on Jacques Delors’s successor tonight?

PRIME MINISTER:

I don’t know yet. I haven’t had a chance to discuss the matter with others. Everyone would like to reach agreement if they can but as yet I don’t think anyone really knows.

QUESTION:

And the right person for the job?

PRIME MINISTER:

We’ve always said that Leon Brittan is the best person for the job. That is not say anything against the other candidates. We think he is the best candidate but I’ll have nothing to say about that until we have finished our discussions.