• Jose Manuel Barroso warned Euroscepticism could lead to divisions that sparked the First World War
  • Said people do not 'desire or deserve' return to pre-integrated Europe
  • Comments criticised by British UKIP leader Nigel Farage and Tory MEPs
  • Farage said national democracy would not lead to repeat of 1914

By Becky Evans

PUBLISHED: 07:19 EST, 11 September 2013 | UPDATED: 09:18 EST, 11 September 2013


European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso told MEPs that Euroscepticism could lead to the same divisions that sparked the Great War

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso told MEPs that Euroscepticism could lead to the same divisions that sparked the Great War

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has warned today that reversing integration on the continent could see a return to 'the war, the trenches'.

Speaking in his State of the Union speech to the European Parliament, Mr Barroso said Euroscepticism could lead to the same divisions that sparked the First World War.

His comments will be seen as a thinly veiled attack to the likes of David Cameron, who want to reduce the powers of European Union.

He said: 'Let me say to those - including some in this House - who rejoice in Europe's difficulties and who want to roll back our integration and go back to isolation: the pre-integrated Europe of the divisions, the war, the trenches, is not what people desire and deserve.

'It is our duty to preserve and deepen it.'

However, his comments were criticised by some Conservative and UKIP MEPs.

UKIP leader Nigel Farage was quoted by The Telegraph as saying: 'Those of us who believe in national democracy do not want to take us back to the Western Front or 1914.'

He said it is 'healthy' for European democracies to want to hang on to their identity and said stable countries will not want to go to war.

Leader of the European Conservatives Martin Callanan MEP told Mr Barroso that it is not anti-European to be proud of a national identity.

He was quoted by The Telegraph as saying: 'The real nationalists are those who force us to accept a European nation that actually in reality nobody wants.'

Speaking in Strasbourg in what is likely to be Mr Barroso's last union address, he warned that political upheaval in Europe is still the biggest risk to economic recovery.

Mr Barroso said the pre-integrated Europe of 'the divisions, the war, the trenches, is not what people desire or deserve'

Speaking in possibly his last state of the union address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Mr Barroso said the pre-integrated Europe of 'the divisions, the war, the trenches, is not what people desire or deserve'

Mr Barroso warned against complacency when unemployment is at a record level and urged 'constancy'.

'Make no mistake there is no way back to business as usual. Some people believe that after this, everything will go back to the way it was before.

UKIP leader Nigel Farage criticised the comments and national democracy will not lead to 'the Western Front or 1914'

UKIP leader Nigel Farage criticised the comments and national democracy will not lead to 'the Western Front or 1914'

'They are wrong. We will not go back to the "old" normal, we have to shape a "new" normal.'

The euro zone returned to growth in spring of this year after its longest ever recession brought on by the debt and banking crisis that nearly broke the currency bloc apart.

'The recovery is within sight. This should push us to keep up our efforts... We owe it to our 26million unemployed. With a fragile recovery, the biggest downside risk I see is political.'

Pressure for action has receded across European capitals since European Central Bank President Mario Draghi promised to do whatever it takes to save the euro zone last year.

From France to Portugal, the painful reforms demanded by the Commission, the EU executive, are meeting resistance, as politicians shy away from tough issues such as dealing with insolvent banks, challenging the special interests of unions.

Upheaval in Portugal in July, when the country's finance minister resigned unexpectedly, reminded officials and investors of the dangers of instability in southern Europe and the challenges for Greece, Ireland, Portugal and Cyprus.

European plans for a banking union and closer fiscal ties to withstand future crises risk being watered down too.

Mr Barroso's term as president ends next year.

The comments below have not been moderated.

Does anyone think he is more worried about losing the British monetary contribution than another war in Europe.

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Comparing nation states as they were then with the states as they are now makes Barroso look like a fool! Theo only really unelected bunch of people in the EU are now those sitting in Brussels - and we don't need them to keep peace in Europe! Give us our vote now!

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Barrosos when you get voted into office instead of been appointed by 27 people then speak out otherwise shut up.

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Take a hike Barosso. We never voted for the EU and we don't need it or want it and we never did. We were a great country once and we will be great again. We want out. NOW!

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What a stupid statement by Barrosso. We did not vote to be taken over by Brussels we voted for a trading deal with all European countries. But we will not be dictated to by people from other countries!!!!!!

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Jose Manuel Barroso: HOW is he the EU President? He is UNELECTED!

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Yes, Mr Barrosso, you're so right! Unifying countries has always been so successful hasn't it? USSR, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia. - Pete, Cornwall, United Kingdom, 11/9/2013 18:27 HAHA LOL YOU FOOL EVER THINK OF WHERE YOU ARE LIVING, I DON'T KNOW MAYBE THE UNITED KINGDOM. SERIOUSLY, LIKE SERIOUSLY. AND UKIP ARE A BUNCH OF XENOPHOBIC SQUARES

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nonsense the EU is not responsible for no more world wars nuclear weapons are. no one would dare step it to it because its is clear it would end with nukes launched. france and britain have them as it should be because no one else in europe can be trusted. thats why you can never allow idiots like north korea`s and iranians among others to have them with their own agendas. the next world war would be the last one unless nuclear weapons are removed.

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Yes, Mr Barrosso, you're so right! Unifying countries has always been so successful hasn't it? USSR, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia.

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He's getting out at the right time next year and has obviously made his money one way or another before the whole thing splits wide open. Mr Barroso, I want to be British first and European second, not the other way round but I don't suppose you are listening or prepared to give the peoples of Europe a vote to decide.

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