The EU must show that it takes people's concerns seriously, Tony Blair has warned.

As the Seville summit continues in Spain, the prime minister has renewed his efforts to achieve reform of EU institutions to head off the threat of the far-right and re-engage voters with the European project.

His comments got backing from British politicians eager to see an end to the "secrecy" surrounding how the council of ministers does business.

Menzies Campbell, the Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesman, echoed Blair's sentiments and told ePolitix.com it was time for the EU to change, especially with enlargement now set to take place.

"It is essential to lift the veil of secrecy which surrounds the meetings of the council of ministers. Voting in public should be the norm except in the rarest of cases," he said.

"Modernisation of the council's procedures is particularly necessary as the historic enlargement of the EU will result in a union of 25 member states. The extension of the EU to embrace countries of Eastern Europe, which were so dominated by the Soviet Union, will ensure that democratic values are sustained right across the continent of Europe."

Tony Blair is optimistic that he can achieve significant progress at a meeting that, in his words, marks the "last lap on" enlargement.

The PM is confident that this weekend's event can bring serious change.

With 10 countries set to join the EU he will warn that reform is now needed if the institution is to be able to cope and answer the growing concerns of the citizens of existing member states.

Speaking on Thursday, Blair called for a "concrete and constructive approach" to the summit and was upbeat about its prospects of success.

"I think you will find there is a real mood and desire to get things done," the prime minister said.

He has signalled that he wants reform of the council of ministers and, with Gerhard Schroeder of Germany, will call for a series of sweeping changes.

Blair wants shorter summits with more strategic discussions and an end to subject-specific councils.

To head-off claims that most European deals are done behind closed doors, he will call for the opening of debate on legislation to the TV cameras.

In his pre-summit briefing, Blair said there was a limit to what could be agreed.

"We will only be able to agree at Seville certain clear directions. It will then be for member states and others to take forward," he said.

With Germany set to go to the polls, Blair warned his European colleagues could pay a high price for doing nothing.

"There is a far greater sense of urgency now. Politicians are very foolish if they don't look around Europe at the election results of the past 18 months and take the lesson from that."