German Chancellor Angela Merkel said today that the European Union should "seriously and conscientiously" consider British requests for reforms within the EU, but also pointed out that basic principles, such as free movement of workers, are not subject to negotiation.
British Prime Minister David Cameron, AP reminds, elected last month for a second term, promised that he will renegotiate Britain's relations with the EU and then by the end of 2017, he will call a referendum on remaining or leaving the EU.
As a result, he recently toured European capitals in an attempt to rally support for reforms that include opting out of an even closer union and preventing immigrants in Britain from receiving the same benefits as in other EU countries.
Merkel told members of the German parliament that Britain is a "natural ally" when it comes to strengthening the EU's competitiveness, and that she wants Britain to remain an "active partner of a strong European Union."
The chancellor also said that Europe previously managed to find "good and friendly solutions", when member states wanted to clarify their role in the EU.
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