News Digest

Proposals on EU reform for Britain are fair, Brussels boss Juncker says

The proposal on reforming Britain’s relationship with the European Union is fair and must be supported by the European Parliament, Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker told the assembly in Strasbourg. “I have always said I want the UK to remain a member of the European Union on the basis of a fair deal. The settlement that has been proposed is fair for the UK and fair for the other 27 members,” Juncker said. British Prime Minister David Cameron has hailed the proposed deal ahead of the in-out referendum in the UK in June.

It is also fair for the European Parliament … the parliament must be fully signed up to the new settlements.

President Jean-Claude Juncker

However, many members of his Tory party – and the British voters – are likely to take some convincing that he has delivered on his promises, including curbing migrant benefits, controlling borders and repatriating powers from Brussels. Mr Cameron won further support today from Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders. The Netherlands currently holds the rotating presidency of the EU presidency. He said the proposal released on Tuesday “paves the way for an agreement in the European Council. I am sure a solution can be found”. The European Council of 28 EU leaders meets in Brussels on February 18-19.