European Commission President Jean Claude-Juncker says UK does not need EU but EU needs UK
The United Kingdom does not need the European Union, but the EU does need the UK, according to European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.
Speaking to the European parliament about the EU migrant crisis and UK membership, Juncker said: "We want a fair deal with Britain, and we are working in that direction. I cannot give details, but our negotiation teams are in close contact". Juncker added:
It takes two to tango. We have to dance and our British friends have to dance. I am 150 per cent in favour of having Britain as a constructive member state of the European Union.
We need Britain. Personally I don't think Britain needs the European Union.
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The comments will be seized on by the "Out" campaign, which launched last week. This week the pro-"In" campaign launched.
Juncker's comments came ahead of a meeting with Prime Minister David Cameron on Thursday, in which the two will discuss the Prime Minister's renegotiation.
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Cameron has promised an In/Out referendum before the end of 2017, with polls narrowing between the two sides.