“President Juncker made it very clear… that first we want to see and receive the UK proposals on reform. And, of course, in the spirit of openness, friendliness and constructive spirit that characterizes the relations of the Commission with all members of the European Union we are ready, of course, to discuss those in our quest for a fair deal with Britain," Schinas said at a briefing in Brussels.
He congratulated UK’s incumbent Prime Minister David Cameron for his Conservative party’s success at Thursday’s general election. The Tories currently hold 327 out of 650 seats in the House of Commons and are on course to a majority government.
“President Juncker congratulates David Cameron for the results of the elections in the United Kingdom,” Schinas said, adding the EU executive body was “ready to work constructively” with the next British government.
He reiterated Juncker’s earlier comment to the media that EU’s core values, as stipulated in its treaties, are not negotiable.
The United Kingdom has long sought to amend EU migration regulations to curb influx of people from poorer EU member nations. Cameron also wants an in-out option for his country that is not set to have a referendum on UK’s EU membership in 2017.