LONDON, Sept. 27 (Xinhuanet) -- British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Tuesday afternoon called on the country to meet the challenges of globalization.

    He made the remarks when delivering a keynote speech at the annual conference of the Labor Party in Brighton, Sky News TV reported.

    Commending Monday's announcement that the Irish Republican Arm (IRA) has been decommissioned, he said "it seems all the hard work over the years is worthwhile to bring a lasting peace".

    He urged Britons not to cling on the "European social model of the past" by advocating protectionism in economy against countries like China or India whose labor cost is only "a fraction of ours" saying "protection does not work today and competition cannot be shut out."

    "Britain must prepare for globalization," he noted, adding knowledge and skills are vital to Britain's economy and therefore education is the government's top priority.

    On immigration, he said "people who come to Britain to work only make Britain stronger." Blair urged more integration of immigrants so that there will be no "second-class citizens".

    While emphasizing values for Britain, Blair also drew a blueprint for speeding up reforms in pension, transport, health service, employment and education.

    In a speech punctuated by applauses and encouragement from his party members, Blair also touched on global action on terrorism, global warming, nuclear energy and foreign policy issues which is viewed by many as being embraced by a New Labor. Enditem