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Barroso: Pro-Europe Britons 'must defend EU membership' Barroso: Pro-Europe Britons 'must defend EU membership'
(about 5 hours later)
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.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.
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. Jose Manuel Barroso is expected to say in a speech that he is worried no-one challenges the assumption UK and EU interests are opposed.
Mr Barroso has warned that David Cameron's hopes of curbing EU immigration could be illegal.Mr 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. But a Downing Street source said the status quo was not acceptable.
In a speech at think tank Chatham House, Mr Barroso will acknowledge that there are "widespread concerns in the UK and elsewhere about abuse of free movement rights". The source also played down expectations Mr Cameron would make a major speech on EU immigration soon.
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.
'Historic mistake''Historic mistake'
In a speech at think tank Chatham House, Mr Barroso will say the PM risks offending the UK's natural allies in eastern Europe.
He will acknowledge that there are "widespread concerns in the UK and elsewhere about abuse of free movement rights".
And he will add: "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."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.
'Zero influence'
"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."."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, he warned the UK would have "zero" influence if it voted to leave the EU and would not be able to negotiate with the US and China "on an equal footing" on its own.On Sunday, he warned the UK would have "zero" influence if it voted to leave the EU and would not be able to negotiate with the US and China "on an equal footing" on its own.
Conservative Party chairman Grant Shapps reacted to those comments by describing Mr Barroso as an "unelected bureaucrat" and "out of touch".Conservative Party chairman Grant Shapps reacted to those comments by describing Mr Barroso as an "unelected bureaucrat" and "out of touch".
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. A Downing Street source said Mr Cameron would listen to Mr Barroso's argument, but that Britain needed to negotiate a better deal.
If concerns are addressed, he added, the EU "would be a very suitable place for us".
He also described reports of a cap on national insurance numbers given to EU migrants as "fevered".
Mr 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.
BBC Europe correspondent Chris Morris said: "As Jose Manuel Barroso prepares to leave the European Commission after 10 years at the helm, he is becoming a little less diplomatic in trying to make the case that Britain and the EU need each other.BBC Europe correspondent Chris Morris said: "As Jose Manuel Barroso prepares to leave the European Commission after 10 years at the helm, he is becoming a little less diplomatic in trying to make the case that Britain and the EU need each other.
"'It worries me,' an advance copy of his speech says, 'that so few politicians in the UK tell the facts as they actually are.' And he criticises what he calls negative and often false portrayals of the EU in many British newspapers.""'It worries me,' an advance copy of his speech says, 'that so few politicians in the UK tell the facts as they actually are.' And he criticises what he calls negative and often false portrayals of the EU in many British newspapers."
Mr Barroso's term of office ends this month and he will be replaced by Jean-Claude Juncker.Mr Barroso's term of office ends this month and he will be replaced by Jean-Claude Juncker.