European Council: doorstep (in German and English) by Martin SCHULZ, President of the EP

Brussels

referendum on EU membership (T)

EU - United Kingdom (T)

press point

press conference

SCHULZ, Martin (S&D, DE)

European Council meeting 18-19 February 2016 (T)

European Council  (18-19 February): doorstep (in German and English) by Martin SCHULZ, President of the EP

SOUNDBITE (German), Martin SCHULZ, EP President, The situation is very tense, negotiations are intense and controversial, we have a part of the member states who are less interested in the brexit and more in the refugee issue, and we have others where it is the opposite. There is still a lot to do. The Greek government has insisted that no one should close their borders to them before all issues related to that are clarified, and as long as that doesn't happen, they are not willing to compromise on other issues. I think we need to help Greece, we cannot close borders, but we should not mix up the child benefit issue in the UK with the migration crisis either.

SOUNDBITE (German), Martin SCHULZ, EP President, (On possible outcome) I am always optimistic and I think that there will always be a solution, the question is which. We need to find a compromise which is acceptable for the UK but that doesn't harm the fundamental principles of the EU. (On Austria) Everyone must respect EU laws, including Austria. They have however accepted a great number of refugees over a long period of time, and that it is precisely those countries who have put Austria in such a difficult position, refusing to take in refugees themselves, who are now pointing their fingers at Austria, I don't find that correct. Which doesn't mean however that I find every statement by Ms Mikl-Leitner reasonable.

SOUNDBITE (English), Martin SCHULZ, EP President, (on UK-EU) I think the compromise we have to find must be a compromise for an emergency situation. The United Kingdom is describing and asking a solution for which should be compatible with the fundamental rules of the European Union which are no discrimination and freedom of movement. There is a possible compromise because I think we can allow for a member state under exceptional circumstances to have a specific regime to manage a specific burden. But in a time limited delay, what is the time, what is the structure of such an exception, is as always in the detail to discuss. And the devil is in the detail and that is the reason why we are waiting so long. I am still confident that at the end of the day we will have a compromise but for a compromise both sides must move. The question is who moves sufficiently for the time being.

SOUNDBITE (English), Martin SCHULZ, EP President, The second is single market, no discrimination in the single market is absolutely a fair point for the United Kingdom. I want to underline also on behalf of the European Parliament nobody should be discriminated, no country, because it is a non euro country. But on the other hand there is no veto right for non euro countries for deepening the cooperation of the euro countries. Specially in the banking sector we need a level-playing field and a clear commitment to the Union law, to the rules of the European Union. Because we do not need, specially looking back at past years, different standards specially in our banking systems. Also a very difficult debate, also entering into the details as needed, but in the end I think we will get a compromise also in the frame of this very difficult debate