Brown says Britain must remain engaged with Europe

By Adrian Croft and Katherine Baldwin

LONDON (Reuters) - Prime Minister Gordon Brown, often accused of being lukewarm towards the European Union, said on Monday it would be a mistake to question Britain's EU membership at a time of global economic problems.

Recent financial turbulence was "a wake-up call" for every economy and had tested the stability of financial systems, Brown told an audience of business leaders in London.

Britain is well placed to withstand the global turbulence expected this year because it has low inflation and interest rates, record high employment and the public finances are "in a sustainable position", Brown said.

"What is clear is that at this time of global economic uncertainty, we should not be throwing into question our future membership of the EU -- risking trade, business and jobs."

"I strongly believe that rather than retreating to the sidelines we must remain fully engaged in Europe so we can push forward the reforms that are essential for Europe's, and Britain's, economic future," he said.

Brown said the EU must work together to take any immediate necessary measures to protect against financial turbulence.

He confirmed he would meet French President Nicolas Sarkozy, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi later this month to discuss stability measures.

His remarks were seen as a riposte to views aired by opposition Conservative leader David Cameron on Sunday, though critics said his own commitment to Europe had been thrown into doubt last month by his late arrival in Portugal to sign the EU Lisbon Treaty.