Britain's transatlantic relations effect on European Union integration in Tony Blair's term

The relationship between USA and Britain was known to rest on close ties and values between elites, an important co-operation in the field of intelligence; collaboration between the military forces and cooperation in the field of nuclear weapons. This relationship was named as ?special relationship? in academic literature. Although there were some crises and idea differences between two sides of Atlantic after World War II, they have formed parallel foreign polices. However in the same period EU-Britain relations were problematic and Britain was labelled as awkward partner of EU. Some scholars claimed that special ralationship prevented EU integration.The arrival in office of New Labour exposed a new approach to Britain?s relations with the EU. Britain implemented more pro-European policies. British preferences are becoming closer to those of other EU member states than to the USA. Altough Blair?s and new labours pro-European stance was undermined by variety of domestic and international factors such as effects of interest groups, Europeanization process became more important factor in this new stance.Tony Blair?s decision to support USA about war in Iraq is a turning point in Blair?s political carrier and UK foreign policy. Altough Blair has still claimed that he could serve as a bridge between the USA and EU, the tension between being a good Atlanticst and good European was too great for Blair?s government. Blair?s support for war decision highlighted a great rift in transatlantic alliance. This decision was evaluated in the framework of Blair?s own beliefs and philosophy such as new liberalism, moral foreign policy, international interventionism. After Iraq War transatlantic relations were engineered and positive relations between France, Germany and USA effected Britain?s role in EU and her special relations with USA. In this study the effects of new dynamics on EU integration process were interrogated.