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President of European parliament says UK 'tests patience and goodwill' of EU President of European parliament says UK 'tests patience and goodwill' of EU
(35 minutes later)
Britain makes “continuous demands” on Brussels and many EU politicians believe “if the Brits want to leave, let them leave”, the European parliament president has said. The president of the European parliament has accused the UK of making “continuous demands” on Brussels, giving many EU politicians the attitude of “if the Brits want to leave, let them leave”.
Martin Schulz added the UK often tests the “patience and goodwill” of the other members of the 28-strong bloc.Martin Schulz added the UK often tests the “patience and goodwill” of the other members of the 28-strong bloc.
Proposals for reform that “cater to narrow self-interests” and set “dangerous precedents for a Europe a la carte” will be met with resistance from MEPs, who have to approve parts of the deal, he warned.Proposals for reform that “cater to narrow self-interests” and set “dangerous precedents for a Europe a la carte” will be met with resistance from MEPs, who have to approve parts of the deal, he warned.
Related: The EU no longer serves the people – democracy demands a new beginning | Yanis Varoufakis
But Schulz said Europe needs Britain’s foreign policy experience and clout, open-market policies and its trade track record if it wants to “shape the future world order” and maintain strong security.But Schulz said Europe needs Britain’s foreign policy experience and clout, open-market policies and its trade track record if it wants to “shape the future world order” and maintain strong security.
He said: “This is why personally I am a strong supporter of the UK remaining in EU. And this, despite the fact – and I admit this quite frankly – that the British often test our patience and goodwill with their continuous demands.He said: “This is why personally I am a strong supporter of the UK remaining in EU. And this, despite the fact – and I admit this quite frankly – that the British often test our patience and goodwill with their continuous demands.
“They are demanding. They push hard. They insist. They just don’t let go. Many of my colleagues say behind closed doors ‘Don’t stop a rolling stone. If the Brits want to leave, let them leave.”’“They are demanding. They push hard. They insist. They just don’t let go. Many of my colleagues say behind closed doors ‘Don’t stop a rolling stone. If the Brits want to leave, let them leave.”’
Prime minister David Cameron has insisted reform documents will be a “legal instrument” if they are agreed by fellow EU leaders at a summit in Brussels later this month, telling MPs the records would be deposited at the United Nations and “will have legal force”.Prime minister David Cameron has insisted reform documents will be a “legal instrument” if they are agreed by fellow EU leaders at a summit in Brussels later this month, telling MPs the records would be deposited at the United Nations and “will have legal force”.
But Schulz suggested any deal could be undone at a later stage. But Schulz suggested any deal could be undone at a later stage. He told Sky News: “Nothing in life is irreversible, therefore legally binding decisions are also reversible, nothing is irreversible.
He told Sky News: “Nothing in life is irreversible, therefore legally binding decisions are also reversible, nothing is irreversible. “But in politics, when 28 heads of state and government and the European institutions together on 19 of February agree about a deal, the deal is done.”
“But in politics, when 28 heads of state and government and the European institutions together on the 19th of February agree about a deal, the deal is done.” Schulz said it would take months for Cameron to implement any agreement on welfare reforms. He told BBC Radio 4’s World at One: “To legislate for 507 million citizens in 28 sovereign countries, I think this is not easy. Diligence is more important than speed.
Schulz said it would take months for Cameron to implement any agreement on welfare reforms.
He told BBC Radio 4’s World at One: “To legislate for 507 million citizens in 28 sovereign countries, I think this is not easy. Diligence is more important than speed.
“This is neither days, nor weeks, this is months but it is not years.”“This is neither days, nor weeks, this is months but it is not years.”
Schulz said “the risk of democracy” was that details of the deal could be changed by the European parliament.Schulz said “the risk of democracy” was that details of the deal could be changed by the European parliament.
“I can’t predict the outcome of normal democratic procedures, but the European parliament will, for sure, not refuse with a majority what was agreed between the member states and what the commission puts as a draft proposal on the table.”“I can’t predict the outcome of normal democratic procedures, but the European parliament will, for sure, not refuse with a majority what was agreed between the member states and what the commission puts as a draft proposal on the table.”