It's a "Nein" to EU reform: Merkel delivers blunt message to Cameron's call for changes to European Union

The German Chancellor told politicians they would be disappointed if they wanted her to back sweeping reforms

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and David Cameron chat at the start of their meeting in Downing Street

Angela Merkel yesterday delivered a blunt “Nein” to David Cameron’s call for major EU reforms.
The German Chancellor told MPs and peers that anyone wanting her to back “fundamental” changes to the EU would be “disappointed.”
Downing Street had been hoping Mrs Merkel would use her speech to Parliament to weigh behind Mr Cameron’s push for sweeping reforms.
Instead, she used the address to urge Britain to remain at the heart of Europe and warned any reforms would be a “hot potato.”
“Some expect my speech to pave the way for a fundamental reform of the European architecture which will satisfy all kinds of alleged or actual British wishes. I am afraid they are in for a disappointment,” Mrs Merkel said.
In his Bloomberg speech last year setting out plans for an in-out referendum on British membership in 2017, Mr Cameron said there needed to be “fundamental” and “far reaching change” in Brussels.
But Mrs Merkel said getting treaty change - Mr Cameron’s goal - would need the support of all 28 European leaders.
“It’s not a piece of cake. It is not a piece of cake. It is going to be hard work,” she said.
The German leader did offer a glimmer of hope to the Prime Minister by suggesting some changes would be possible such as cutting red tape and ensuring EU nationals did not exploit Germany and Britain’s welfare systems.
“Where there’s a will, there’s a way,” she said at a Downing Street press conference.
Diplomatically, Mrs Merkel accepted there was a need for the EU to change, but she refused to give her full backing to the Conservatives’ ambition to overhaul the rules that allow all EU citizens to travel and work freely anywhere in the union.
She said freedom to travel without borders was one of “crucial principles” of the EU.
“A Europe without borders is one of the greatest achievements of European unification. All member states, all citizens benefit from this.
“But it is also true that, to maintain and preserve this freedom of movement and gain acceptance for it from our citizens, even today, we need to muster the courage to point out mistakes and tackle them,” she said.
Mr Cameron tried to win over the German Chancellor by laying on the full red carpet treatment. This involved the rare invitation to address both Houses of Parliament, a private lunch in his No 10 flat and tea with the Queen in Buckingham Palace.
The two leaders lunched on Beetroot and goat’s curd salad with citrus dressing; Roast fillet of Newlyn stone bass with potatoes, broccoli and beans; Fruit and ice cream dessert.
Mrs Merkel also held one-to-one meetings with Nick Clegg and Ed Miliband.
During her meeting with the Queen the microphones picked up the opening remarks when Her Majesty said: “You have had a very busy day.” Mrs Merkel replied: “It is my duty to have busy day.”
Mr Cameron’s efforts failed to secure a firm commitment from the German Chancellor, seen as a key ally in Europe, she would back his reforms.
Instead, she made a passionate and well-argued case for the European Union, pointing out it had secured 70 years of peace on the continent.
“We have to tackle the great challenges of our times together. Individually and on our own I am deeply convinced we will achieve less than if we stand together,” she said in a speech in the Royal Gallery of the House of Lords.
Calling for Britain to remain at the heart of Brussels, she added: “United and determined we can defend our European economic and social model in the world.
“United and determined we can bring our values and interests to bear in the world. United and determined we can serve as a model for other regions of the world. This and nothing less than this should be our common goal.
“I regard it as the task for our generation. In order to attain this goal we need a strong United Kingdom with a strong voice inside the European Union.
“If we have that, we will be able to make the necessary changes for the benefit of all,” she said.
Generously, Mrs Merkel also paid tribute to the Britons who had lost their lives in the two world wars.
Speaking in the anniversary year of the outbreak of the First World War, she said: “This is a special year of commemoration for Britain, where you remember your dead, your losses and the untold losses that Germany brought through these wars to you.
“As German Chancellor, I bow my head before the victims of these horrible wars.”
Labour’s Lord Stewart wood said her speech was “deeply impressive” but “brutal to Mr Cameron’s renegotiation plans.
Shadow Foreign Secretary Douglas Alexander said: “Chancellor Merkel’s remarks have confirmed that David Cameron’s approach to Europe just isn’t working.
“He’s lost control of his Party and, as a result, he’s losing influence with other European leaders.
“The gap between what Chancellor Merkel was offering, and what his eurosceptic backbenchers are demanding remains as wide as ever.”