Please note that this does not constitute a formal record of the proceedings of the meeting. It is dependent on interpretation and acts as an unofficial summary of the press conference.
Firstly, each leader made a statement on the high-level meeting:
Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt began the press conference. He explained that the meeting focused on the reforms that the EU needs, in their opinion. In this sense, the Prime Minister remarked that the four countries are among the 10 most competitive in the world and, as such, it is good that they share experiences. In general terms, Mr Reinfeldt said that the advanced economies are slowing and solutions are needed for the creation of future jobs. In this sense, he argued that the EU needs to reform its labour market and its educational institutions with a view to promoting its competitiveness. More specifically, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of abolishing the remaining barriers of the internal market and to start the discussions on the reform of the next EU budget. Finally, he hoped that they could make contributions to the European Council to be held at the end of June and highlighted that the choice of the future policies comes before appointments for top jobs.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel stated that there is a sense of opportunity after the recent elections to set the agenda for the next five years. Therefore, and taking into consideration the current fragile growth, Ms Merkel said that is important to have discussions with the new MEPs on the matter. She argued in favour of structural reforms, of consolidating the budget and on deepening the internal market. In relation to the last point, the German Chancellor specified that steps are needed to guarantee the mobility of employers and employees in the services sector. Moreover, Ms Merkel said that the future lies in the Digital Single Market and in the Free Trade Agreements (FTA). The German Chancellor added that the European Council President, Herman Van Rompuy, is communicating these priorities to the MEPs with a view to assure a common understanding between both institutions. Finally, she reminded that there is an opportunity to agree in the content of the policies of the EU for the next five years.
British Prime Minister David Cameron described the four participants as centre-right leaders looking to make their economies stronger. Then, Mr Cameron referred to the recent elections, saying that the results show that the EU needs to change. The British PM said that he had already stated that the EU needs to be more open, more flexible and less interfering. In his opinion, the choice of the new President of the Commission brings an opportunity to transform the EU. Mr Cameron stressed that the European Council is in the driving seat to achieve this transformation and as such it should impose certain priorities: completing the internal market when it comes to energy, services, and digital. In addition, the EU should avoid imposing burdens to enterprises and complete more FTAs. The British PM explained that the EU needs to listen more to the people across Europe. In this sense, he remarked, abuses on free movement must stop.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte was the last leader to speak. He stressed that the EU needs to remain relevant and focus on growth and jobs. To him, this means creating a new Europe based on the deepening of the internal market, extending FTAs and creating a playing level field for the labour and energy markets. Moreover, the EU needs to keep a close eye on subsidiarity and reducing red tape. In order to achieve this, the Commission must be reorganised to focus on the priorities to be set by the European Council. Finally, in relation to the next Commission, the Dutch Prime Minister stated that the priority is to set the policy options.
A journalist from each country asked a question:
A Swedish journalist asked Ms Merkel if she could give some advice to Mr Reinfeldt on how to win his upcoming elections. Moreover, she wanted to know whether Ms Merkel is prepared to push the name of Jean-Claude Juncker as President of the Commission against other candidates and if Mr Cameron was ready to cope with it.
Chancellor Merkel replied that the only advice that she could give to PM Reinfeldt was to “be himself”. In relation to the candidature of Mr Juncker, the Chancellor replied that it was not an issue of the meeting. However, Ms Merkel added that in Germany she had said that Mr Juncker is her preferred candidate and confirmed that she wants him to be Commission President.
Prime Minister Cameron replied that the meeting focused on the policies and not on the people to carry them. As for the election of the President of the Commission, the British leader referred to the rules of the Treaty: the European Council nominates the candidate and that should not change.
A German journalist asked Ms Merkel what amount of power the Parliament has in the whole process. She also asked Mr Cameron if he was using the threat of the UK leaving the EU to counter the election of Mr Juncker.
Chancellor Merkel replied that she supports Mr Juncker but that she must act in accordance with a European spirit. Moreover, she added that threats do not qualify as European spirit. In relation to the European Parliament’s role, Ms Merkel said that everybody in the EU is in favour of following the procedures, which are very clear: the European Council submits a proposal which needs to be accepted by a majority of the MEPs. As such, neither institution can act alone. That is the reason why Mr Van Rompuy is meeting with the MEPs. Finally, Ms Merkel confirmed that the European Council will come up with its nomination at the June meeting.
Prime Minister Cameron said that he wants the UK to stay in a reformed EU. However, he added that it would be the British people who will decide in a referendum by the end of 2017. In this sense, Mr Cameron said that the approach taken by the EU from now until then will be very important.
A British journalist asked Ms Merkel and Mr Reinfeldt whether Scotland would maintain its EU membership if it was to leave the UK and if that would imply the Balkanisation of the British Isles. He asked Mr Cameron what expectations did he have of being heard by his German allies on the matter of the free movement of people, provided that he was not heard on who should preside the European Commission. Finally, he wanted to know what Michael Gove, UK Secretary of State for Education, meant when he said that British schools need to transmit British values.
Chancellor Merkel replied that, as a rule, she never replies to hypothetical questions and therefore she would not comment on Scotland. In relation to the freedom of movement, she stated that it is an important issue for Germany and that they would find ways to avoid its abuse.
Prime Minister Reinfeldt argued that they need to treat the referendum with respect.
Prime Minister Cameron explained what he understands by British values: freedom, tolerance, and respect for the Rule of Law and for the British Institutions. Moreover, he agreed with Mr Gove that British schools should transmit those values. In relation to working together with the other three countries, Mr Cameron replied that their record is very good: they successfully pushed together for de-regulation, for excluding SMEs from regulation, from deepening in the energy, services, and digital single market, and from reducing the EU budget. Finally, he repeated that they met to discuss the programme, not the people to chair the institutions.
A Dutch journalist asked Mr Rutte if he agreed with the changes and the type of leader proposed by Mr Cameron
Prime Minister Rutte explained that the selection of personnel will take place after the agenda is decided. In relation to the direction for the EU, he proclaimed himself to be happy with the outcome of the meeting.