Germany and France have a simple message for British Prime Minister David Cameron: You can’t pick and choose which treaty obligations to abide by as a condition of European Union membership.
Rather, the two countries’ leaders say, you can only decide whether to stay or go.
Specifically, Germany used the term “cherry-pick,” while France cautioned against “a la carte” membership, according to a BBC report.
The cautions come on the heels of Mr. Cameron’s decision to allow voters to decide the fate of the United Kingdom’s alliance with the EU. Just today, Mr. Cameron also said that before putting the issue to vote, he would attempt to renegotiate terms of membership more in favor of Britain.
Other EU nations don’t want the U.K. to leave. But they also don’t want the U.K. to have special rights in dictating EU policy.
“Being a member of the European Union involves obligations,” said Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, spokeswoman for French President Francois Hollande.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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