V4 contributed to the successful settlement on the UK reform agenda
20.02.2016 / 02:00 | Aktualizováno: 23.02.2016 / 22:15
Following two challenging days of negotiations, both on the Union and on a bilateral level, we have reached a solution for the UK reform agenda. The Visegrad Group pushed their common position all throughout these negotiations. Our efforts lead to a final agreement, which reflects our key demands on the safeguard mechanism and the exportation of child benefits.
PRESS RELEASE of the Czech V4 Presidency
The Visegrad Group welcomes today’s decision that has come after a strenuous series of negotiations. As ever, we believe the United Kingdom is an integral part of the European Union. We are stronger with the UK, than without.
We collectively achieved that the safeguard mechanism will only apply to newly arriving workers, not to those that are already working in the UK. As far as the in-work benefits are concerned, the Visegrad Group ensured that this mechanism would apply only to non-contributory in-work benefits. It is of utmost importance that where workers contribute towards a social system, they continue to be fully entitled to contributory benefits.
The most controversial question during the negotiations was the period of application of the mechanism. It was not easy, but eventually we have arrived at a compromise period of 7 years. This solution reflects the transitional period provided for in Accession Treaties. The launching of the mechanism will be based on the evidence-based macroeconomic analysis submitted by the Commission. Safeguard mechanism cannot be triggered by political will only.
Surprisingly enough, the second issue – indexation of child benefits - proved to be the most difficult part of the negotiations. In the end we managed to protect the rights of more than a million of V4 citizens in Britain.
Child benefits paid to children living in V4 countries, whose parents work in the UK, will not be abolished. The benefits for those living with their parents in the European Union countries will remain unchanged. Indexation of benefits for children, whose parents live and work in the European Union countries, will be postponed until 2020. The indexation will not be extended to any other forms of support.
Indexation will be based not only on the standard of living but also on the level of benefits for children in the country of their residence. This is guaranteed by a separate declaration by the European Commission.
Finally, the indexation will not apply to those workers who commute to work in other European Union countries.
Today we have proved that the European Union is capable of finding common solutions to common problems, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. At the same time, this week’s summit has also shown the importance of the Visegrad Group co-operation in key areas. Intensive negotiations took place on both days. The result is the decision which has the full potential to pave the way for a British “Yes”.