Strasbourg, 09/09/2015 (Agence Europe) - During his State of the Union address on Wednesday 9 September, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker repeated his desire to reach a fair deal for the UK. The UK is due to express its opinion on its relationship with the EU by the end of 2017, and Juncker would like it to remain an EU member. He did not, however, announce specific elements during his address but essentially stated that his Commission is launching initiatives in connection with the British demands.
Juncker said that the UK and British political leaders were right when they criticise the EU for being too bureaucratic, but he said that the Commission's work programme consisted of easing the red tape. He stated that with European Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans, the Commission is doing everything possible for legislation to be better. This does not mean, however, that the EU does not take an interest in anything, he said, mentioning projects such as the Energy Union, completion of the single market and initiatives supporting the spirit of enterprise that can directly meet the British wishes and are along the lines of what the British leaders advocate.
In a version of his address that he did not deliver, Juncker acknowledges the idea that not all member states are able to participate in all European policies. He states in particular that the UK already has specific opt-outs on European legislation (the euro or justice and home affairs) but the UK will have to be “fair” with its partners, not preventing those that want it from further integration.
Juncker nevertheless said that many things could be done with the UK, especially as regards the current challenges posed in the area of foreign policy.
Juncker and British Prime Minister David Cameron met soon after the British elections in May. No bilateral meeting is planned before that on the sidelines of the European summit in October. Elsewhere, the Commission launched its task force at the start of September to work on the UK's requests for renegotiation. (Solenn Paulic)