We should be happy that a rather positive deal was finally struck’, Janis A. Emmanouilidis, Director of Studies at the European Policy Centre. Last week, after hours of strained negotiations, British PM David Cameron managed to convinced other EU leaders to accept his proposals for a reform. Back in November, he addressed to Donald Tusk, President of the Council of the EU, a fourfold list of settlement proposals, aiming at encouraging the UK to remain in the EU and when one looks at the final outcomes of the discussion, it is clear that Cameron got most of what he asked for – give or take a few safeguard measures especially on issues with respect to decisions taken in the euro-area. But these negotiation outcomes are but the tip of the iceberg for Cameron who needs now to convince the British electorate that, not only should the UK stay in the EU, but also that it will be beneficial for both parties. The UK Referendum is to take place on 23rd June 2016.
Turning now to the other issue, slightly overshadowed by the EU-UK referendum, the migration crisis. Unfortunately, as stated by Emmanouilidis, ‘there has been no progress‘. However, the work hitherto conducted aims at allowing an EU response and a better implementation of what has been agreed on – regardless of the security vs solidarity discrepancies that yet remain.Another EU Summit is scheduled to take place at the beginning of March.
The European Policy Centre (EPC) is an independent, Brussels-based think tank focusing on European integration. The EPC has a strong multi-constituency approach. Its members include private companies, business federations, trade unions, public institutions and NGOs.
Janis A. Emmanouilidis has worked as the EPC’s Senior Policy Analyst since 1999, and was recently promoted to Director of Studies. His publications cover the EU’s overall political and institutional development, the sovereign debt crisis, EU integration, EU foreign policy as well as EU enlargement. Emmanouilidis
