ZB ZB
Live now
Start time
Playing for
End time
Listen live
Listen to NAME OF STATION
Up next
Listen live on
ZB

EU offers concessions ahead of UK exit vote

Author
AAP,
Publish Date
Wed, 3 Feb 2016, 8:47AM
British Prime Minister David Cameron (R) speaks with European Council President Donald Tusk (Getty Images)
British Prime Minister David Cameron (R) speaks with European Council President Donald Tusk (Getty Images)

EU offers concessions ahead of UK exit vote

Author
AAP,
Publish Date
Wed, 3 Feb 2016, 8:47AM

EU President Donald Tusk has offered London sought-after concessions, including measures to limit welfare payments to European workers, in the hope that British citizens will decide to stay in the European Union in a promised referendum on membership.

"To be, or not to be together, that is the question," Tusk wrote on Twitter as he unveiled his proposals on Tuesday for a deal with Britain, using a famous line by British playwright William Shakespeare.

British Prime Minister David Cameron said the proposed reform "delivers substantial change", adding that "there's more work to do" before final agreement.

Cameron has demanded a series of changes to the country's relationship with Brussels before putting its continued EU membership to a referendum, which he has promised to hold by the end of 2017.

The draft proposal must now be negotiated with the bloc's other 27 member states, who have so far not been involved in the talks. The issue is expected to dominate the next summit of EU leaders, on February 18-19, with many countries wary of Britain's demands.

The proposal negotiated between London and Tusk's office offers responses to Cameron's four sets of reform demands, in the areas of competitiveness, sovereignty, social security and economic governance.

One of the most controversial requests has been the restriction of in-work benefits for other European citizens, in an effort to limit the number of people seeking work in Britain.The free movement of workers is one of the EU's most cherished achievements.

The proposal states, however, that this right can be restricted "on grounds of public policy, public security or public health". It suggests the creation of a "safeguard mechanism" to deal with a high and prolonged inflow of workers from another EU country. This would allow a member state to restrict access to in-work benefits for up to four years. Other EU capitals would have to agree to the move.

It is not yet clear how long Britain would be able to use this mechanism for, an EU source said on condition of anonymity.

London has also sought to safeguard its sovereignty, seeking an opt-out from the EU's stated ambition of "ever closer union," as well as more power to block legislation out of Brussels.

The concept of "ever closer union" is intended to "promote trust and aim" among EU citizens, the proposal says, noting that references to this in the bloc's treaties "are not an equivalent to the objective of political integration".

The document also proposes a so-called "red card" system that would allow 55 per cent of national parliaments to club together and stop or amend proposed legislation out of Brussels within 12 weeks of it being presented.

On economic governance, the text addresses British fears that further integration within the eurozone - of which it is not a member - could harm its interests. London is home to the EU's largest financial market.

Laws relating to the eurozone will respect the "competences, rights and obligations" of countries that are not part of it, and shall not create a barrier to trade, the proposal states.

Any emergency measures taken to stabilise the eurozone "will not entail budgetary responsibility" for non-euro countries, which will be fully reimbursed for any such expenses out of the general EU budget, the text states.

Finally, on competitiveness, the text stresses that the EU will take every effort to strengthen the EU's internal market, while pursuing an "active and ambitious" trade policy. It also pledges to cut red tape, as demanded by London.

If approved by other member states, the legally binding text would immediately take effect if Britain decides to remain in the EU.

The suggested legislative measures, notably on the issue of welfare payments, would not require changes to the EU's treaties - a process that could be lengthy and complicated. But future treaty changes would take account of the proposal, if agreed.

Diplomats from EU member states will have their first chance to discuss the proposals at a meeting behind closed doors on Friday, according to commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas.

Take your Radio, Podcasts and Music with you