Brussels compromise 'good news for Europe'

“Today’s agreement is good news for Europe. We have taken care of the interests of Poles receiving welfare payments in EU countries," Szydło wrote on Twitter late on Friday.

Initial reports indicated that a compromise has been reached in Brussels that will see the gradual reduction of payouts claimed in Britain by Poles and other immigrants from EU states for children left back in their home countries.

For future immigrants, payouts for children back home will be lower from the outset.

Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Konrad Szymański had earlier said that such “exported” child benefits were a key stumbling block in reaching a summit deal.

Negotiations in Brussels dragged on into a second day on Friday as the political leaders of the 28 EU member states tried to hammer out a compromise.

British Prime Minister David Cameron had demanded wide-ranging reforms by the EU to address British voters’ concerns over issues such as immigration and sovereignty.

Britain is now expected to hold a referendum on whether it should stay in the EU. Cameron has previously said that if he secured a deal with Brussels that he finds acceptable, he would urge Britons to vote to stay in the EU. (pk)

Source: Polish Radio/PAP/IAR