- Published: 03.06.2015.
Croatian, Estonian PMs not against British proposal for EU reform
The European Union must preserve freedom of movement as one of its most important achievements, Estonian Prime Minister Taavi Roivas told a joint press conference with his Croatian counterpart Zoran Milanovic in Zagreb on Wednesday.
We must ensure that one of the fundamental freedoms in Europe, freedom of movement, is not endangered in any way because that is Europe's great strength, one of the foundation stones of the European Union, which we want to keep, Roivas said when asked for a comment on Britain's announcement that it would seek reform of the EU treaties and laws.
As far as I understand, British Prime Minister David Cameron is not against that. He doesn't want to reduce freedom of movement, but his proposal is primarily aimed at ensuring that people who go to live in another country do so in order to work or study there rather than seek welfare benefits, the Estonian prime minister said.
He said that he understood the British reasons and that Estonia was ready to discuss the issue as long as freedom of movement was not threatened.
I don't see much room for changing the European treaties, Milanovic said in response to the same question, noting that he understood the British position and even more the English one.
Scotland has a population of five million and England 55 million, Milanovic said, adding that certain concerns and political views arose from the population density.
They are not racist views, because Great Britain is a very open society, but simply practical and common sensical, Milanovic said and added that he had learned this in talks with Cameron.
As for the European Union, Milanovic said that the Union had quite sufficient powers. We should continue working on strengthening the single market and all freedoms, but I'm not in favour of further expanding federal powers either of the Union or of the European Commission. They have enough powers as it is and should know how to use them, he added.
(Text and foto: HINA)