UK to have ‘zero influence’ with EU exit, Barroso says

PanARMENIAN.Net - The outgoing European Commission president is to call on pro-European politicians in the UK to make a more positive case for staying in the EU, according to BBC News.

Jose Manuel Barroso is expected to say in a speech he is worried that no-one challenges the assumption that UK and EU interests are opposed.

Barroso has warned that David Cameron's hopes of curbing EU immigration could be illegal. He will say the PM risks offending the UK's natural allies in eastern Europe.

In a speech at think tank Chatham House, Barroso will acknowledge that there are "widespread concerns in the UK and elsewhere about abuse of free movement rights".

He will say: "The Commission has always been ready to engage constructively in this discussion. But changes to these rules need all countries to agree. And it is an illusion to believe that space for dialogue can be created if the tone and substance of the arguments you put forward question the very principle at stake and offend fellow member states. It would be an historic mistake if on these issues Britain were to continue to alienate its natural allies in central and eastern Europe, when you were one of the strongest advocates for their accession."

On Sunday, Oct 19, he warned the UK would have "zero" influence if it voted to leave the EU and would not be able to negotiate with the U.S. and China "on an equal footing" on its own.

David Cameron has said the relationship with the EU will be reformed ahead of an in/out referendum, to be held by the end of 2017, if he remains in office after next year's general election.

Barroso's term of office ends this month and he will be replaced by Jean-Claude Juncker.