Cameron Won the Battle with the EU

• 02.20.2016, 23:52
•  Europe,  World

©telegraph.co.uk

It seems the efforts of the EU were not in vain and starting from today a new phase both for the EU and the UK is starting. After tense talks in Brussels, the EU leaders agreed for a deal that the British Prime Minister was demanding in exchange of remaining in the Union. This can be considered a historical deal for the EU, which may make changes in the politics of the Union and in its future.

"Britain will never join the euro. And we've secured vital protections for our economy and a full say over the rules of the free trade single market while remaining outside the euro," aljazeera.com quotes Cameron’s words.

The main points of the deal that has become a topic of discussion for the whole world, according to BBC, are the following: 

• an "emergency brake" on migrants' in-work benefits, with payments phased in during their first four years in a new country, when there are "exceptional" levels of migration. The UK will be able to operate the brake for seven years
• child benefit for the children of EU migrants living overseas will now be paid at a rate based on the cost of living in their home country - applicable immediately for new arrivals and from 2020 for the 34,000 existing claimants
• The amending of EU treaties to state explicitly that references to the requirement to seek ever-closer union "do not apply to the United Kingdom", meaning Britain "can never be forced into political integration"
• The ability for the UK to enact "an emergency safeguard" to protect the City of London, to stop UK firms being forced to relocate into Europe and to ensure British businesses do not face "discrimination" for being outside the eurozone.

Thus according to the deal, the UK, as Cameron said, receives a "special status" within the EU, which means higher political independence than other EU countries have.  

Later, after the deal was announced, British Prime Minister announced the date of the referendum – June 23 – this is the day, when the people of the UK will decide whether to stay in the EU or not. In announcing the date of the referendum, he made a statement, which clearly showed he has "won the battle" with the EU.  "The choice is in your hands - but my recommendation is clear. I believe that Britain will be safer, stronger and better off by remaining in a reformed European Union," Cameron said, BBC quotes.

There are already reations to the deal. For example, Tusk wrote on his Twitter: "The #UKinEU settlement addresses all of PM @David_Cameron's concerns without compromising our fundamental values." As for German Chancellor Angela Merkel, there was no doubt that the deal would succeed.

"We believe we have now given a package to David Cameron to elicit support in Britain for Britain remaining a member of the European Union. This was his goal after all. There was no doubt about it," CNN quotes Merkel’s words.

The Prime Minister of Belgium also commented on the deal, saying that now it is the turn of the people in Britain to decide their future: "We overcame our differences to reach a good #agreement. Now up to British people to decide. Good luck @David_Cameron," Charles Michel tweeted.

This is a precedent, which, most likely, will be a start of different claims of the EU states. How much they will succeed in putting forward their claims and coming to an agreement, depends on the strength of that country and what it means for the EU and its further development. As for the Brexit, most likely this will not happen, as Cameron will do his best for this.