European Union
Merkel is flattering to the British at the Banquet
No stiff upper lip: With warm words and symbolic Gestures, campaigned for Angela Merkel at the Matthiae-Mahl in order to Britain staying in the EU. The guest of honour, David Cameron showed himself disarmed.
The direction of Europe: David Cameron (left) with Olaf Scholz, and Angela Merkel
It was the inimitable blend of cosmopolitan elegance and modesty, the real Hanseatic League in the cradle is In her native city of Hamburg, under Murano crystal chandeliers in the Council chamber at the Matthiae-Mahl – the oldest celebrated feast in the world – showed German Chancellor Angela Merkel to your guest from the United Kingdom at least as much with images as with words: We want you!
The message of the Talk between the four courses of the menu: the Prime Minister, David Cameron, to whom the honour of this Evening was, and his British are anything other than taste members of the EU, a Union à la carte favour and just cherry-pick want. At Cameron’s plans, according to Merkel, it is by no means a purely British interests. “Quite the opposite, if we succeed, these concerns in a European Form to pour, then I believe that the Europe as a Whole will benefit,” said the Chancellor.
No Union à la carte: Angela Merkel (in red Blazer) with guests of honour
The visit of the Prime Minister on the Alster, is also a diplomatic warm-up before the Gipfelmarathon in the coming week is expected, when the heads of state and government of the European Union on Thursday and Friday in Brussels meeting. There, do you want a solution in their dispute with the island. The British are insisting on reforms in the EU. Disputed is above all the demand for a kind of Veto-right for Non-Euro countries in future decisions of the Euro area – and the question of how long it London should be allowed social security benefits for citizens from other EU countries to caps.
Water in the wine
Merkel widespread optimism, poured but some water in the wine. The progress of the talks as the voice of they are confident that an agreement would be possible “without that I have to predict like, how many hours I from Thursday to Friday sleep – but we are solution-oriented”. At the Matthiae-Mahl in the Grand ballroom, to which the Ruling since 1356 invite, announced Merkel, at the same time, that of Hamburg in the year 2017 host of other Spitzentreffens, namely of the G20 summit, will be.
Insistently urged the Chancellor for a whether Britain should stay in the EU: “I wish that the United Kingdom continue to be an active member of a successful European Union is and remains.” Cameron replied, conciliatory. He does not want his country “the drawbridge high and from the world and withdraws”. The visitors urged the trading community and Europe as well as joint Franco-British interests, including in terms of sound fiscal policy, reducing red tape and security.
Tradition since 1356: Large hall in the Hamburg city hall in front of the Matthiae-Mahl
If all cooperated, he would from full Conviction his countrymen recommend to stay in the reformed EU vote, says the Premier. Cameron wants the people might still be in this year over a “Brexit”, that is, a withdrawal from the Union, the vote. That this will not happen, hopes Hamburg’s governing mayor, Olaf Scholz. “The UK is in the Foreign and security policy is not to replace”, stressed the Deputy SPD Chairman. “We want to and can London cannot do without.”
The charm offensive succumbed
Prior to the 400 invited guests, flattered and Scholz the guest of honor: “Europe would do it very well, something British.” And Cameron showed whether the warm reception in the cool North is anything other than British-reserved. He forgot the stiff upper lip and gave the charm offensive, at least rhetorically beaten: “When Angela said she wanted me for dinner in their hometown invite, I had no idea that you such trouble.”
jj/haz (dpa, afp, rtr)