Juncker: Problems piling up, but EU not over yet

The European Commission's president Jean-Claude Juncker held a New Year’s press conference on 15 January 2016, in which he discussed his priorities for the year ahead.

Mr Juncker made comments regarding the European Union's response to the refugee and migrant crisis, the negotiations on the UK's EU membership, the dangers around a potential collapse of the Schengen agreement and the relations between Poland and the European Commission.

It was also visible the increasing tension between Italy and the European Union, following a series of statements from the country's prime minister Matteo Renzi regarding Italy's role in the Union and its decision to block the agreement between the EU and Turkey regarding migration.

• Primary Source

EurActiv, 15.01.16: Juncker: Restoring borders will kill internal market http://www.euractiv.com/sections/justice-home-affairs/juncker-restoring-borders-will-kill-internal-market-321025

The Wall Street Journal, 15.01.16: End of Schengen Would Destroy Euro, Warns EU’s Juncker http://www.wsj.com/articles/end-of-schengen-would-destroy-euro-warns-eus-juncker-1452870027

The Guardian, 15.01.16: Juncker 'quite sure' of February deal on Britain's EU membership http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jan/15/juncker-quite-sure-february-deal-britain-eu-membership-referendum

Kathimerini, 15.01.16: EU states ‘failed to deliver’ on migrants, says Juncker http://www.ekathimerini.com/205098/article/ekathimerini/news/eu-states-failed-to-deliver-on-migrants-says-juncker

Deutsche Welle, 15.01.16: EU 'failed to deliver' on refugees, says Juncker http://dw.com/p/1HeRy

Euronews, 15.01.16: Don’t blame us for refugee policy failure, says EU’s Juncker http://www.euronews.com/2016/01/15/don-t-blame-us-for-refugee-policy-failure-says-eu-s-juncker/

Politico, 15.01.16: Juncker to Renzi: Brussels isn’t Berlin’s puppet http://www.politico.eu/article/juncker-to-matteo-renzi-brussels-isnt-berlin-s-puppet-migration/

Euronews, 15.01.16: Don’t bash Commission too much, EU’s Juncker tells Renzi http://www.reuters.com/article/eu-italy-budget-idUSL8N14Z1QP

Sputnik International, 15.01.16: Juncker 'Quite Sure' to Reach 'Not Weak Compromise' on UK Membership in EU http://sptnkne.ws/a2MA

Deutsche Welle, 16.01.16: [Opinion]: The year of last chances http://dw.com/p/1HejM

Radio Poland, 15.01.16: I admire and respect Poland: European Commission chief http://www.thenews.pl/1/10/Artykul/236661,I-admire-and-respect-Poland-European-Commission-chief

EurActiv, 20.01.16: Renzi changes top envoy in Brussels http://www.euractiv.com/sections/public-affairs/renzi-changes-top-envoy-brussels-321151

Politico, 21.01.16: Matteo Renzi: Europe is ‘missing in action’ http://www.politico.eu/article/matteo-renzi-europe-needs-to-change-pace/

The Guardian, 21.01.16: [Opinion] Europe isn’t working for this generation http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jan/21/italy-reforms-europe-not-working-generation?CMP=share_btn_tw

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