Merkel ‘cannot satisfy’ all of Britain’s EU wishes

German chancellor Angela Merkel cautioned today she could not promise a fundamental reform of Europe that would satisfy all Britain's wishes.

Speaking in English to MPs and peers from both houses of the British parliament in the Palace of Westminster’s Royal Gallery in London, Dr Merkel said she understood there were high expectations of her speech.

“Some expect my speech to pave the way for a fundamental reform of the European architecture which will satisfy all kinds of alleged or actual British wishes. I am afraid they are in for a disappointment,” Dr Merkel said.

"Others are expecting the exact opposite and they are hoping that I will deliver the clear and simple message here in London that the rest of Europe is not prepared to pay almost any price to keep Britain in the European Union. I am afraid these hopes will be dashed," she added.

But she held out some hope for Prime Minister David Cameron’s plans to renegotiate Britain’s membership of the EU after the general election, saying that Europe’s politicians must be guided by the need for the EU to constantly change and reform.

Speaking of her happiness as a former citizen of East Germany at the fall of the Berlin Wall, she said: “I am a personal witness to the possibility that change, and change for the better, is possible. This awareness ought to guide us in this anniversary year. Every generation of politicians has its responsibility - we too, the politicians of today.

“Standstill may quickly turn into setback. Or to use a famous quotation of Winston Churchill, ‘To be perfect is to change often’.

“We need courage to bring about a change for the better today just as much as it was needed decades ago. We need to continue to write the success story of European unification for today.

“The challenge we face is nothing less than the question whether Europe will be able to assert its values, its interests and its economic strength that brings prosperity to its people durable also in the 21st century.

“We must renew Europe in keeping with the times so that it may fulfil its promise of peace, freedom and prosperity also for future generations.”

Dr Merkel’s visit to London — also taking in talks with Mr Cameron over lunch in 10 Downing Street and tea with the Queen at Buckingham Palace — comes at a time when Mr Cameron is coming under pressure to spell out what powers he hopes to repatriate from Brussels ahead of EU membership referendum he has promised for 2017.