Det Europæiske Råd den 17. - 18. december 2015 - Bilag 3: Brev - Møde i Det Europæiske Råd den 17.-18. december 2015

Europaudvalget 2015-16
Det Europæiske Råd 17-18/12-15 Bilag 3
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European Council

The President

Brussels, 7 December 2015

SN 88/15

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I am writing to let you know where we stand on the issue of a UK in/out referendum before we

address it at the December European Council.

In November Prime Minister Cameron set out the four areas where he is seeking reforms to

address the concerns of the British people over UK membership of the European Union. On this

basis, we, in close cooperation with the Commission, held extensive bilateral consultations at

Sherpa level with all Member States. We also discussed it with representatives of the European

Parliament.

Clearly this is a significant and far-reaching agenda. Consultations have shown that the issues

raised by the British Prime Minister are difficult. At the same time there is a strong will on the part

of all sides to find solutions that respond to the British request while benefiting the European Union

as a whole.

We have been looking at the four baskets mentioned by PM Cameron. Let me briefly set out my

assessment of where we are in this respect.

1. On the relations between the euro ins and outs we could search for an agreement around a set

of principles that will ensure the possibility for the euro area to develop further and be efficient

while avoiding any kind of discrimination vis-à-vis Member States that are not yet, or, in some

cases, will not be part of the euro. We are also looking into the possibility of a mechanism that will

support these principles by allowing Member States that are not in the euro the opportunity to raise

concerns, and have them heard, if they feel that these principles are not being followed, without

this turning into a veto right.

Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 175 – 1048 Bruxelles/Brussel – Belgique/België

Tél./Tel.: +32 (0)2 281 97 33 – Fax: +32 (0)2 281 67 37

[email protected]

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2. On competitiveness, there is a very strong determination to promote this objective and to fully

use the potential of the internal market in all its components. Everybody agrees on the need to

further work on better regulation and on lessening the burdens on business while maintaining high

standards. The contribution of trade to growth is also very important in this respect, in particular

trade agreements with fast growing parts of the world.

3. The third basket concerns sovereignty. There is wide agreement that the concept of "ever closer

union among the peoples" allows for various paths of integration for different countries. Those that

want to deepen integration can move ahead, while respecting the wish of those who do not want to

deepen any further. There is also a largely shared view on the importance of the role of national

parliaments within the Union as well as strong emphasis on the principle of subsidiarity.

4. The fourth basket on social benefits and the free movement of persons is the most delicate and

will require a substantive political debate at our December meeting. While we see good prospects

for agreeing on ways to fight abuses and possibly on some reforms related to the export of child

benefits, there is presently no consensus on the request that people coming to Britain from the EU

must live there and contribute for four years before they qualify for in-work benefits or social

housing. This is certainly an issue where we need to hear more from the British Prime Minister and

an open debate among ourselves before proceeding further.

All in all it is my assessment that so far we have made good progress. We need some more time to

sort out the precise drafting on all of these issues, including the exact legal form the final deal will

take. We also have to overcome the substantial political differences that we still have on the issue

of social benefits and free movement. The December European Council should address all the

political dilemmas related to this process. Based on a substantive political discussion we should be

able to prepare a concrete proposal to be finally adopted in February.

Let me finally share with you some political remarks. All involved must take their part of

responsibility. I will act as an honest broker but all Member States and the institutions must show

readiness for compromise for this process to succeed. Our goal is to find solutions that will meet

the expectations of the British Prime Minister, while cementing the foundations on which the EU is

based. Uncertainty about the future of the UK in the European Union is a destabilizing factor. That

is why we must find a way to answer the British concerns as quickly as possible.

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In times when geopolitics is back in Europe, we need to be united and strong. This is in our

common interest and in the interest of each and every EU Member State. The UK has played a

constructive and important role in the development of the European Union and I am sure that it will

continue to do so in the future.

Salutation

D. TUSK

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