European Council (18-19 February) in Brussels. Statement by Elmar BROK (EPP, DE)

referendum on EU membership (T)

EU - United Kingdom (T)

press point

BROK, Elmar (EPP, DE)

meeting of the European Council

European Council meeting 18-19 February 2016 (T)

European Council (18-19 February): statement by Elmar BROK (EPP, DE)

SOUNDBITE (English), Elmar BROK (EPP, DE), <br />on the position of the EP concerning the EC and Council proposal: We think it is a good compromise, we don't want to see a division between euro and non-euro countries and we don't want to see a right of veto from a non-euro country on economic questions and financial matters; they can call for a meeting of the European Council in order to be informed but then it comes down to normal legislation, and this is an equal playing field which means they don't have either an advantage or a disadvantage compared to other euro countries. On the ever closer Union it is clear that the UK can stay out of it, and there will not be a legal basis for it, but there never was; for the rest of countries there will still be obligations and I think this is a fair compromise for the British and also for all the rest. As regards the difficult question of social benefits it's clearly limited in scope and timing and therefore this can be a good basis for the European Parliament to work constructively on the legislative process together with the Commission and the Council.