Important UK - EU negotiations

While we are waiting for PM Cameron to present a more detailed whishlist for a reformed relationship between UK and the European Union, it is interesting to have a look at the negotiation  process. It is a political tool intended to ensure a "yes" majority in the forthcoming referendum.

But who are the people that will be influenced by the negotiation results ? It is not the europhiles. They will vote yes even if Cameron comes back empty-handed. The anti-EU camp want UK to leave the supranational EU and will vote no even if he has a great success. The primary audience to be influenced are voters outside these two groups, the people whose attitude to EU-membership are more open.

This does not mean that the negotiation results are of no significanse for europhiles and eurosceptics. On the contrary these groups will use the results in their referendum campaigns, arguing that necessary EU-reformes are achieved or that the results show that significant EU-reforms are impossible.

Successful negotiations are also important for the EU. The Union needs reforms to cope with financial crisis, growing eurosceptism and lack of trust. An UK-exit will be a severe blow for the Union.

Because the negotiation results are of importance for so many, the process will be a serious effort of policy development and can at best initiate a necessary adaption of European integration.