Europe

Slovenian and British Prime Ministers Met in London

In London, Slovenian Prime Minister Miroslav Cerar and British Prime Minister David Cameron met to Discuss Current Migration Facing Europe

November 25th, 2015
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On 19th Of November Prime minister of Slovenia Miroslav Cerar and British Prime Minister David Cameron met each other in London. A large part of the meeting was based on discussing the large-scale migration to Europe currently taking place, upon which they agreed on the need to significantly strengthen control at the external border between Greece and Turkey. They agreed also that the international community needed to do more effective action in the field of terrorism, despite its complex nature. The EU Members States can do this if they the intensify bilateral cooperation of its intelligence services the Prime Ministers agreed.  

Slovenian Prime Minister Miroslav Cerar explained how the growing volume of migrants were impacting on Slovenian institutions and society. He said that Slovenia is a credible member of the Schengen system, which is essential for open internal borders within the EU. Cameron stressed the importance of strong surveillance of the external borders of the EU, if we want to preserve the openness of internal borders, which should be in the interest of all States, including those such as the United Kingdom which are not in the Schengen area. The two Prime Ministers also agreed that decisions which have already been made with regards to the migrant crisis needed to be implemented speedily. David Cameron presented in detail the British proposals to reform the EU, which were last week proposed to the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk. He stressed the need to protect the single market, promote competitiveness, exempting the United Kingdom from the deepening of the Union, together with strengthening the role of national parliaments and the restriction of rights to immigrants from other States who should not be able to take advantage of certain social rights or tax credits. The major part of the talks between the Prime Ministers was focused on the future of the EU.

Both agreed that the broadest possible support can be expected at work, which relates to strengthening the competitiveness of the EU by cutting red tape. Also covered was the reform of the allocation of social rights, which addresses the British proposal and agreed that it is an extremely sensitive area, particularly in the context of economic migration. At the same time, they agreed that it would be desirable to strengthen the role of national parliaments in the decision-making on EU matters, with the difference that Slovenia opposes the right of veto.

Cerar during his visit to London also met separately with the Former London Mayor Alan Yarrow, the President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Sumo Chakrabarti, the President of the Lower House of Parliament, John Bercow and the President of the House of Lords, Frances D' Souza.

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References



Kaja Odar

CD News Team, Cultural Diplomacy News, Berlin