Tony Blair has renewed his commitment to maintaining a strong voice for Britain in the European Union.

In a Commons statement, the prime minister said it was also vital for the UK to retain close links with America.

Reporting back on last week's heads of government summit, Blair welcomed EU moves to support elections in Iraq.

The 25 national leaders had also agreed to build a close relationship with newly re-elected President Bush.

They agreed a "close transatlantic partnership is fundamental", said Blair.

There was also agreement Europe had to do "far more" to improve its competitiveness.

And the prime minister welcomed plans for greater cooperation in the areas of justice and home affairs, which includes issues such as asylum and immigration.

"There are great benefits for the UK in cooperation with our European partners on these issues," he told MPs.

"Illegal immigration affects all member states but the opt in protocol for Britain, negotiated at Amsterdam in 1997, remains. It is also enshrined in the new constitutional treaty."

Blair noted the UK had already used its opt out to reject measures on frontiers and visas.

"This protocol gives us the right to decide whether to participate in each item of the EU work programme, and makes a nonsense of claims that Britain has given up the right to control its own borders," he said.

The prime minister also said he was confident the new Commission would take office shortly.

"In conclusion, the meeting once again underlined the importance to Britain of maintaining both a strong relationship with the United States of America and a strong place in the councils of the European Union," he said.

"Both partnerships are vital to the British national interest and it will remain the policy of this government at least to nurture both."