Juncker: Problems piling up, but EU not over yet

“The number of unresolved problems has been piling up. I'm sure problems will be added to the list,” he added, giving as an example “the issue of the UK”.

The Luxembourg politician spoke for one hour and nine minutes. He made fewer jokes than usual and expressed annoyance at being photographed.

But despite his sometimes grumpy tone, he said the problems can be solved.

"I'm not going to give up. I reject the idea that this is somehow the beginning of the end,” Juncker said.

Refugees

The idea is in the air due to the refugee crisis, which has prompted several EU states to reimpose border checks in the Schengen free-travel area.

Juncker echoed remarks made earlier this week by German chancellor Angela Merkel, who said Schengen underpins the EU project.

“Without the freedom of European citizens to travel, the euro makes no sense,” Juncker said.

“If anybody wants to kill off Schengen, ultimately what they are going to do, is to do away with the single market as well.”

He added that post-Schengen border checks would also cost EU states €3 billion.

Juncker alluded to the fact eastern EU states are reluctant to implement his refugee-sharing scheme.

“The commission has done everything that could possibly have been done … but a number of member states find it difficult apparently to implement decisions which they took themselves in the various councils of ministers,” he said.

“We're moving towards a serious crisis in terms of credibility if, in 2016, we don't manage to do what in principle, and indeed legally and politically, we have resolved to do.”

UK

On the UK, which wants to renegotiate its relations with the bloc, prior to an In/Out referendum, Juncker said talks “are entering a delicate period”.

“I'm not optimistic, not pessimistic. I'm quite sure we'll have a deal. Not a compromise, [but] a solution, a permanent solution … in February,” he said.

Asked why he’s “quite sure” there’ll be a deal on EU reforms at next month’s regular summit, he said: “My knowledge is allowing me to do that.”

Poland

The commission chief noted the Polish debate makes him “sad.”

He spoke after the EU launched a probe into Polish constitutional and media reforms, which, critics say, undermine judicial oversight and free speech.

“I must confess the current debate in Europe makes me sad. The commission doesn't have a problem with Poland. We have a problem with certain initiatives from the new Polish government,” Juncker said.

“Let's not mix up Poland with the new Polish government. I don't want Polish people to have the impression that all of the EU is rising up against Poland.”

He criticised people who keep mentioning “article 7,” the EU’s so-called nuclear option, which involves suspension of Council voting rights, because it’s too remote a possibility.

It “doesn't make sense” because the commission and Poland are in “dialogue,” he noted.

“If this has to happen, it will happen, but that’s not my assumption, because we’re in a different stage of the procedure.”

Italy

The commission chief also spoke out on Italian leader Matteo Renzi, who has hit out at Brussels on a range of issues, from austerity to the alleged mistreatment of an Italian member of Juncker’s private office.

Juncker said Renzi “demonises” the commission.

“You know that I have the greatest respect and indeed love for the Italian PM … I don't really know why he does this,” Juncker noted, hinting at domestic political motives.

He added that he’ll go to Rome “by the end of February.”

Cyprus

There was one optimistic note on a long-standing issue: the more than 40-year old frozen conflict between Cyprus and Turkey.

"I'm very confident that in the first six months of this year we will come to a final agreement on the reunification of that island," Juncker said.

The accord could unlock Turkey's EU membership talks and improve Turkey-EU cooperation on migrants.

“I very much like the Cypriots," Juncker said, adding that people on both sides of the Green Line are “very efficient, hard-working, intelligent.”