European Parliament President Martin Schulz on Wednesday rejected British Prime Minister David Cameron's criticism of the EU, saying London had often helped block EU reforms.
Schulz charged that "David Cameron wants to reduce the European Union to a single market" without powers to deal with global challenges from climate change to migration and world trade.
"Please tell me where David Cameron has made a single constructive proposal," said Schulz, adding that Cameron's speech was aimed not at Europe but at the conservative wing of his Tory party.
Schulz was speaking on German national public radio before Cameron's address, reacting to pre-released comments by the British leader who then announced a future referendum on EU membership.