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Queen Calls For European Unity At German Banquet Attended By David Cameron And Angela Merkel

Cameron And Merkel Listen To Queen's Call For European Unity
Paul Vale
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The Queen called for European unity on Wednesday, delivering a speech at a state banquet in Berlin attended by German chancellor Angela Merkel and British Prime Minister David Cameron. In her address, Her Majesty said the continent must look to “maintain the benefits of the post-war world,” adding that division in Europe is “dangerous.”

Since the British general election in May, Cameron has been pushing for reform of Britain’s European Union membership ahead of a promised EU referendum likely be held in 2017.

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Britain's Queen Elizabeth II arrives for an official state dinner in front of Germany's President Joachim Gauck's residence Bellevue Palace in Berlin, Wednesday, June 24, 2015

The Queen, currently on a four-day state visit to Germany with Prince Phillip, must remain politically neutral, however those pushing a pro-European line in the debate will likely seize upon her comments.

Cameron is scheduled to submit reform plans to EU leaders on Thursday, with the PM expected to call for changes to the Union’s fundamental treaties.

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David Cameron arrives for an official state dinner for Queen Elizabeth II, in front of Germany's President Joachim Gauck's residence Bellevue Palace in Berlin, Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Germany's president Joachim Gauck echoed the Queen’s sentiments at the banquet, noting how the EU needed Britain’s membership, while promising "constructive dialogue" on the any proposed reforms.

The Queen said: "In our lives, Mr president, we have seen the worst but also the best of our continent. We have witnessed how quickly things can change for the better. But we know that we must work hard to maintain the benefits of the post-war world. We know that division in Europe is dangerous and that we must guard against it in the West as well as in the East of our continent. That remains a common endeavour."

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Angela Merkel glances at British Prime Minister David Cameron during a State Banquet at the Schloss Bellevue Palace on the second day of a four day State Visit on June 24, 2015 in Berlin, Germany. (credit:Chris Jackson via Getty Images)
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Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, German President Joachim Gauck, Joachim Sauer (2nd L) Chancellor Angela Merkel, and Daniela Schadt (R) attend a State Banquet on day 2 of a four day State Visit on June 24, 2015 in Berlin, Germany. (credit:Pool via Getty Images)
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In this photo provided by the German Government Press Office (BPA) Queen Elizabeth II attends a State Banquet at the Schloss Bellevue Palace on the second day of a four day State Visit on June 24, 2015 in Berlin, Germany. (credit:Handout via Getty Images)
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Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, center right, and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, background, are welcomed by German President Joachim Gauck, right, and his partner Daniela Schadt, left, for an official state dinner in front of Bellevue Palace in Berlin, Wednesday, June 24, 2015. Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip are on an official visit to Germany until Friday, June 26. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, second right, and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, right, are welcomed by German President Joachim, second left, and Gauck's partner Daniela Schadt, left, for a reception at the Bellevue Palace in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, June 24, 2015. Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip are on an official visit to Germany until Friday, June 26. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, center, shakes hand with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, left, as Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, right, looks on prior to a State Banquet hosted by President Gauck in Bellevue Palace in Berlin Wednesday, June 24, 2015. Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip are on a state visit to Germany until Friday, June 26. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Prince Philip The Duke of Edinburgh and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll visit the Institute of Technology at the Technical University of Berlin during the Royal State Visit to Germany. (credit:KGC-178/STAR MAX/IPx)
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German President Joachim Gauck, left, his partner Daniela Schadt, second left, Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip the Duke of Edinburgh take a boat trip on Spree river in Berlin, Germany Wednesday June 24, 2015. Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip are on an official visit to Germany until Friday, June 26. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Britainâs Queen Elizabeth II, left, and Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel stand together as they meet in Germany's capital Berlin, Wednesday, June 24, 2015. Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip are on an official visit to Germany until Friday, June 26. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Britain's Queen Elizabeth II arrives for an official state dinner, in front of Germany's President Joachim Gauck's residence Bellevue Palace in Berlin, Wednesday, June 24, 2015. Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip are on an official visit to Germany until Friday, June 26. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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