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EU referendum: Czechs propose migration 'brake' EU referendum: Cameron in talks over migration 'brake'
(about 1 hour later)
Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka has proposed an "alternative" to David Cameron's controversial plan to curb in-work benefits for EU migrants. David Cameron has discussed applying an "emergency brake" to EU immigration, in a meeting with his Czech counterpart, as he seeks a deal on his EU reforms.
Mr Sobotka wants an "emergency brake" on immigration to ease pressure on member states' welfare systems. Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka rejected Mr Cameron's proposals for a four-year ban on in-work benefits.
Mr Cameron said his four-year benefit ban plan "remains on the table". But Mr Sobotka said allowing states to close borders temporarily - as a "brake" - could be considered if welfare systems were under pressure.
But he was open to "other ideas" that would provide a "similarly powerful" solution before an EU summit next month. Mr Cameron said he still wanted a benefit ban but welcomed other options.
The prime minister, who is holding talks with Mr Sobotka in Prague, wants to get the Czechs and other EU nations to back his reform package at a summit next month so he can call an in/out referendum on whether the UK should stay in the European Union. The prime minister, who held talks with Mr Sobotka in Prague, is hoping to get a deal on his four reform demands at a summit next month so he can call an in/out referendum on whether the UK should stay in the European Union.
But the welfare element of his proposals has been resisted by Central European member states.But the welfare element of his proposals has been resisted by Central European member states.
The Czech Republic has been among the outspoken members of the Visegrad Group - the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland and Hungary - in expressing concerns about benefit curbs for migrants. 'Immense pressure'
'Generous benefits' The "emergency brake" idea has been floated before - but it is not clear how it would work in practice.
It could trigger temporary controls on EU migration if the flow is considered "destabilising" but it would not be under the control of the British prime minister and may need the agreement of all EU member states to invoke it.
Mr Sobotka made it clear in a joint news conference with Mr Cameron that he would not accept "discriminatory" measures.
But he added: "We discussed possible alternatives forwarded on this issue.
"The UK has introduced their proposal... we discussed other possible alternatives to meet the same objective, ie make it possible for the UK government to respond to the mass influx of workers.
"This option involves giving a member state the possibility of an emergency brake if there is immense pressure on its welfare system."
'Goodwill'
He added: "It is very important for us that any solution that is adopted on a European level does not discriminate."
Mr Cameron said the benefit ban was still "on the table" but he "welcomed" alternatives that would have a similar impact on migration.
But he said he would not rush an agreement if it was not "available" in time for the Brussels summit on 18 February.
But he said he thought a deal was possible by then, pointing to the "goodwill" of other states.
"I firmly believe there is a pathway to an agreement. I am confident that with the help of European partners and with goodwill we will be able to get there and find mutually satisfactory conclusions."
In an opinion piece for Czech newspaper Hospodarske Noviny, Mr Cameron said he valued the contributions Czechs had made to British life, including Czech-born playwright Tom Stoppard and Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech, and he believed in the principle of free movement.In an opinion piece for Czech newspaper Hospodarske Noviny, Mr Cameron said he valued the contributions Czechs had made to British life, including Czech-born playwright Tom Stoppard and Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech, and he believed in the principle of free movement.
But he added: "Britain does face some particular challenges due to the scale and speed of immigration in our communities."But he added: "Britain does face some particular challenges due to the scale and speed of immigration in our communities."
He said the British welfare system was an "unnatural draw for people to come to our country".He said the British welfare system was an "unnatural draw for people to come to our country".
"For example, because of Britain's generous in-work benefits system, a graduate from the Czech Republic could be financially better off stacking shelves in a supermarket in Britain rather than undertaking skilled work in the Czech Republic."For example, because of Britain's generous in-work benefits system, a graduate from the Czech Republic could be financially better off stacking shelves in a supermarket in Britain rather than undertaking skilled work in the Czech Republic.
"That doesn't make sense for Britain or for the Czech Republic.""That doesn't make sense for Britain or for the Czech Republic."
The prime minister's other reform demands include cutting excessive regulation and allowing the UK to opt out of further political integration.
If he can get agreement from the 27 other EU nations at the next European Council summit on 18 and 19 February, he is widely expected to hold a referendum in June.
His predecessor as Conservative leader, Lord Howard, has said he would be surprised if Mr Cameron came up with a deal that would convince him to back the UK's continued membership.
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