Obama calls for Britain to remain within EU

US President Barack Obama has made an impassioned appeal for Britain to remain in the European Union, saying membership had magnified Britain's place in the world and made the bloc stronger and more outward looking.

Fearful that a British exit could weaken the West, Mr Obama arrived in London yesterday to tell Britons that issues such as terrorism, migration and economic slowdowns could be tackled more successfully with the UK in the EU.

In approaching such a divisive issue, he invoked the interlinked history of the two countries and the tens of thousands of Americans lying in European war graves as his reason for speaking as "a friend" ahead of the 23 June referendum.

"The European Union doesn't moderate British influence – it magnifies it," he wrote in the Daily Telegraph newspaper.

"The United States sees how your powerful voice in Europe ensures that Europe takes a strong stance in the world, and keeps the EU open, outward looking, and closely linked to its allies on the other side of the Atlantic".

Mr Obama is scheduled to have lunch at Windsor Castle with Queen Elizabeth, who celebrated her 90th birthday yesterday, and her husband Prince Philip.

He is scheduled to hold talks after lunch with Prime Minister David Cameron.

As well as dealing with the 'Brexit' vote, the leaders are also expected to discuss the ongoing conflict in Syria...
 [rte.ie]
22/4/16