Key EU Freedoms ‘Non-Negotiable’, Commission to Seek ‘Fair Deal’ with UK

British Prime Minister and Conservative party leader David Cameron delivers a statement to the nation at Number 10 Downing Street in London, Britain, 08 May 2015. Photo EPA/BGNES

The European Commission congratulated British Prime Minister David Cameron on his election victory on Friday but ruled out negotiations on key principles of the bloc including the freedom of movement.

Cameron has pledged to hold a referendum on Britain's EU membership before the end of 2017 and wants changes to be made to the Union treaties on issues including migration.

"The European Commission stands ready to work constructively with the new British government, and, yes, [European Commission] President Juncker looks forward to meeting David Cameron soon," Commission chief spokesman Margaritis Schinas told a daily media briefing in Brussels.

"[Juncker has said] he wants a fair deal with Britain and that the Commission will examine in a polite, friendly and objective way any proposals, ideas or requests that the UK may put forward," Schinas said.

However, Schinas added, the four freedoms at the heart of the EU, including the free movement of citizens, were "non-negotiable because they are the essence of the EU."

Cameron’s Conservatives won an outright majority in Thursday‘s general election, according to near-complete results. The victory will give Tories around 330 of 650 seats in Parliament and a mandate for another five years in office.

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