Official visit by Martin SCHULZ, EP President to London: &nbsp;statement by Martin SCHULZ, EP President

EU - United Kingdom (T)

meeting

official visit

SCHULZ, Martin (S&D, DE)

London

Official visit by Martin SCHULZ, EP President to London:  statement by Martin SCHULZ, EP President

Westminster views, Big Ben, House of Commons, street views (6 shots)

Exterior view of the House of Europe, EPIO office (2 shots)

SOUNDBITE (English), Martin SCHULZ, EP President, We started an exchange of views and my feeling is that there is a possibility to come to a conclusion on how to make EU more transparent, more effective, how to deepen the single market. We&rsquo;ve discussed about the digital single market as a common goal. Reforms steps, necessary reforms steps of the EU are of common interest. If it goes in that direction we will find a solution. If this is a confrontation to insist treaty change whatever it costs to win the referendum it must be and you have to give us what we want, then we will consider if we stay in, that will not function. Therefore it was an open minded exchange of views and my feeling is that Prime Minister Cameron knows very well that in Europe the solution comes from compromises.

SOUNDBITE (English), Martin SCHULZ, EP President, I don&rsquo;t belong to those who discussed about Brexit or Grexit. I want the success of the EU. Why should I, as President of the EP , speculate publicly about results of negative development. My duty and my responsibility is to contribute to solutions. I&rsquo;m still convinced that we have time to find solutions together with the Greeks to solve the sovereign debt crises and to find a path for investment, growth and employment in Greece. Without employment and growth we will never solve the budget problem of Greece. I&rsquo;m absolutely sure that it is possible together with a constructive UK government and other governments to find even without Treaty change solutions to convince citizens in the UK to stay in the European Union.

SOUNDBITE (English), Martin SCHULZ, EP President, (My message to British people) is to support the YES campaign , and I think the Scottish will do so. The attempt of some people of confrontation &lsquo;we against the Europeans / the Europeans against us&rsquo; is wrong . We need the UK in the EU. The single market of the EU is the best way to generate growth and wealth in the UK. We have a common interest so we should try to cooperate . Some of the proposals I&rsquo;ve got today from David Cameron, I&rsquo;ve listened to , and he will next week present, are very reasonable. We should not underestimate the fact that after the European Elections the Commission already began to reduce the amount of initiatives foreseeing for regulations , also the principle of subsidiarity, this is something we can discuss easily. If we go on that direction I&rsquo;m sure we will get a good exit strategy, but not a Brexit strategy.