“So now the deal is done and it’s up to the British people to decide.” So says European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker after marathon talks
ADVERTISEMENT“So now the deal is done and it’s up to the British people to decide.”
So says European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker after marathon talks described by some as an historic turning point for European integration.
David Cameron wanted a ‘live and let live’ relationship with Europe. The message is: That is what you have got.
“We need a strong euro area just as we need a strong City of London,” Juncker told reporters at a late night news conference on Friday, once the deal was sealed at the EU summit in Brussels.
“Today’s agreement guarantees the mutual respect between all our member states whether they have the euro or not. One of our greatest achievements – the single market that services half a billion people – remains intact.”
#UKinEU Deal done. Months of hard work w/ @eucopresident + cooperation w/ @Europarl_EN paid off. Happy. Fair for UK, fair for 27 #EU States
— Jean-Claude Juncker (@JunckerEU) 19 Février 2016
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she believed David Cameron had been given a ‘fair compromise’ deal with which he can campaign in Britain, for Britain to stay in the European Union.
“We have different views on the future development of the EU. This ever closer union is not the goal that Britain is pursuing. That is one area for example where I look at things differently. But we have shown this flexibility,” she said.
Merkel said EU membership is “something of great value”, especially at a time of turbulence and uncertainty in the world.
She added: “I wish David Cameron all the best in the coming weeks and months.”