MOSCOW, October 19 (RIA Novosti) - Amid speculation that British Prime Minister David Cameron plans to propose a quota on the number of European Union (EU) migrant workers in the United Kingdom, the European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said that the freedom of movement was a fundamental right of the EU citizens, speaking on BBC Andrew Marr show on Sunday.
“Any kind of arbitrary cap seems to be not in conformity with the European Union rules, because for us it’s important the principle of non-discrimination, the freedom of movement is a very important principle in internal markets,” Barroso said.
“It’s a matter of fairness,” he added, explaining that there are about 2 million Britons working and living in the EU.
However, Barroso also said that no concrete proposal was received and Cameron’s proposal was therefore “rumors”.
“I cannot comment on specific suggestions that I’ve not been presented [by Cameron to the EU],” Barroso said.
According to the Sunday Times, Cameron intends to slash EU migration by issuing a national insurance number to low-skilled EU immigrants valid for only a limited period of time.
Citing cabinet sources, the newspaper reported that Cameron plans to announce the tougher immigration policies as a way of strengthening Conservative party positions ahead of next year's general elections.
Barroso also dismissed allegations that the United Kingdom plans to secede from the EU.
“I know well, he [Cameron] wants to remain in the EU,” Barroso said.
“Inside the EU you can get much more than outside the EU,” Barroso added.
