Barroso stands by free market for movement of EU citizens

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso Friday evening told an audience at the London School of Economics (LSE) that he stood by the free market for movement of European Union citizens. Barroso's speech comes after voters in Switzerland, which is not an EU member nation, earlier this week narrowly supported a move to restrict movement of EU citizens into their nation. EU elections are set for May, and many commentators have pointed to a rise in nationalist parties in states across the EU which are often opposed to foreign migrants, and which would campaign for similar policies. Barroso said, "I am very much aware that free movement may put unintended strains on local communities and services and in some cases there has been abuse. There is a lot that national governments can do to tackle abuses if and when they occur." Barroso underlined the European Commission's determination to use "firm measures to tackle fraud," adding "we have clarified anti-abuse rules, for instance on sham marriages." Barroso added, "We have an agreement which provides the Swiss unrestricted access to the EU, and we believe it is not fair that we offer that privilege to our Swiss friends, and they do not offer that same privilege to EU citizens." Barroso also said that he believed further integration of the Euro area was unavoidable. Barroso said, "Personally, I feel full integration of the Euro area is unavoidable. It must be designed in a way to complement everything we have achieved so far; to preserve the integrity of the single market, that guarantees the equal treatment of all member states and keeps free our cross-border trade and competition that keeps alive our economic, social, and historic mission." He said it was necessary to find a formula to protect the diversity of the 28 members of the EU, without undermining their federal relations. Barroso signaled that he was in favor of a two-speed Europe, with some countries achieving a deeper level of integration than others. "It is clear that some countries are going to go further, quicker than others if the political will is there," said Barroso, who added that diversity in home affairs and defense had been areas of "diversity in European life for decades." Barroso called on Britain to stand by Europe. British Prime Minister David Cameron has promised a referendum on EU membership in 2017, if he is re-elected in national elections in 2015. It would be only the second referendum on the EU in British history. Barroso called on Britain to engage with Europe, saying do "not to turn away but.. engage and see what we together can do to make it better." Barroso said that Ukraine was not ready for accession to the European Union, and that the Commission was taking things "step by step; we are not excluding the goal of full membership of the EU. But at this stage what we are offering is an association agreement." This would be a political association with economic integration, the president said. The president also offered monetary help to the British government from the European Social Fund to help tackle serious flooding which has hit several parts of Britain this week