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EU referendum: David Cameron to 'quicken pace' of talks EU referendum: David Cameron to 'quicken pace' of talks
(35 minutes later)
David Cameron has said "now the pace will quicken" in his efforts to get a new deal for the UK in Brussels ahead of an in/out referendum.David Cameron has said "now the pace will quicken" in his efforts to get a new deal for the UK in Brussels ahead of an in/out referendum.
The prime minister denied failing to be clear about what he wants, saying talks with Northern European leaders in Iceland had "gone well".The prime minister denied failing to be clear about what he wants, saying talks with Northern European leaders in Iceland had "gone well".
He said would be revealing full details of his demands early next month.He said would be revealing full details of his demands early next month.
Estonia and Finland's leaders say Mr Cameron has so far failed to provide concrete proposals.Estonia and Finland's leaders say Mr Cameron has so far failed to provide concrete proposals.
Cameron's demandsCameron's demands
Mr Cameron has yet to show his hand publicly but bowed to pressure from other EU leaders earlier this month by pledging to set out full details of his renegotiation demands in a letter to European Council President Donald Tusk in early November.Mr Cameron has yet to show his hand publicly but bowed to pressure from other EU leaders earlier this month by pledging to set out full details of his renegotiation demands in a letter to European Council President Donald Tusk in early November.
The comments from the Finnish and Estonian leaders suggest that he is not saying much more in private.The comments from the Finnish and Estonian leaders suggest that he is not saying much more in private.
From what Mr Cameron has said in speeches and articles, and the Conservative manifesto, we know he wants:From what Mr Cameron has said in speeches and articles, and the Conservative manifesto, we know he wants:
He also wants to free business from what he sees as red tape and "excessive interference" from Brussels and provide access to new markets through "turbo charging" free trade deals with America and AsiaHe also wants to free business from what he sees as red tape and "excessive interference" from Brussels and provide access to new markets through "turbo charging" free trade deals with America and Asia
What the PM has been saying in IcelandWhat the PM has been saying in Iceland
Speaking to reporters at the end of the meeting, Mr Cameron said: "We had excellent discussion last night, obviously we were covering other subjects like Syria and refugees and Ukraine but we also discussed the British renegotiation and I would argue it is going well." Speaking to reporters at the end of the meeting, Mr Cameron said: "We had an excellent discussion last night, obviously we were covering other subjects like Syria and refugees and Ukraine but we also discussed the British renegotiation and I would argue it is going well."
He said the pace of the renegotiation would now "quicken," when he writes his letter to Donald Tusk, "at the beginning of November".He said the pace of the renegotiation would now "quicken," when he writes his letter to Donald Tusk, "at the beginning of November".
Asked whether Britain was better off out or in the EU, he said: "There's a debate about Britain's membership of the European Union, that's why we're having a referendum and people will be able to listen to all of the advice and all of the positions that they hear before they make up their mind.Asked whether Britain was better off out or in the EU, he said: "There's a debate about Britain's membership of the European Union, that's why we're having a referendum and people will be able to listen to all of the advice and all of the positions that they hear before they make up their mind.
"My job as prime minister is to get the best deal for Britain in Europe, to make sure we have the best of both worlds."My job as prime minister is to get the best deal for Britain in Europe, to make sure we have the best of both worlds.
"And so that's what I'm doing by setting out very clearly the things that needs to change; on sovereignty, on competitiveness, on fairness between Euro ins and out, on migration and welfare - I've been very consistent. ""And so that's what I'm doing by setting out very clearly the things that needs to change; on sovereignty, on competitiveness, on fairness between Euro ins and out, on migration and welfare - I've been very consistent. "
What other leaders have been saying about himWhat other leaders have been saying about him
Estonian Prime Minister Taavi Roivas told BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg he had talked about "directions" with the UK but are yet to focus on detail.Estonian Prime Minister Taavi Roivas told BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg he had talked about "directions" with the UK but are yet to focus on detail.
Finnish Prime Minister Juha Sipila said: "When you have a concrete proposal I think that Finland and other Nordic countries, we are very open to finding a solution for that."Finnish Prime Minister Juha Sipila said: "When you have a concrete proposal I think that Finland and other Nordic countries, we are very open to finding a solution for that."
Both countries want the UK to stay in the EU.Both countries want the UK to stay in the EU.
Iceland trip focuses attention on Britain's post-EU optionsIceland trip focuses attention on Britain's post-EU options
If Britain left the EU, it would have to negotiate a trade deal with the EU and other major trading blocs. Out campaigners say Britain could strike its own deal, tailored to the needs of the country.If Britain left the EU, it would have to negotiate a trade deal with the EU and other major trading blocs. Out campaigners say Britain could strike its own deal, tailored to the needs of the country.
There are a number of precedents:There are a number of precedents:
The Norwegian model: Britain leaves the EU and joins the European Economic Area, giving it access to the single market, with the exception of some financial services, but freeing it from EU rules on agriculture, fisheries, justice and home affairsThe Norwegian model: Britain leaves the EU and joins the European Economic Area, giving it access to the single market, with the exception of some financial services, but freeing it from EU rules on agriculture, fisheries, justice and home affairs
The Swiss model: Britain emulates Switzerland, which is not a member of the EU but negotiates trade treaties on a sector-by-sector basisThe Swiss model: Britain emulates Switzerland, which is not a member of the EU but negotiates trade treaties on a sector-by-sector basis
The Turkish model: The UK could enter into a customs union with the EU, allowing access to the free market in manufactured goods but not financial servicesThe Turkish model: The UK could enter into a customs union with the EU, allowing access to the free market in manufactured goods but not financial services
Alternatively, the UK could seek to negotiate a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with the EU, similar to the Swiss model but with better access for financial services and more say over how rules and standards are implemented.Alternatively, the UK could seek to negotiate a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with the EU, similar to the Swiss model but with better access for financial services and more say over how rules and standards are implemented.
The UK could make a clean break with the EU, relying on its membership of the World Trade Organisation as a basis for trade.The UK could make a clean break with the EU, relying on its membership of the World Trade Organisation as a basis for trade.
Associate membership floated BBC Political Editor Laura Kuenssberg's view
When the referendum is held (it could happen any time up to the end of 2017) David Cameron is expected to argue for Britain to remain a member of the EU under the different membership terms agreed in the renegotiations that are currently under way. David Cameron would dearly love to be able to get the EU referendum out of the way as soon as possible, rather than drag it out until the end of 2017.
The Sun newspaper floated the idea of "associate membership" of the EU, which would formalise the "two speed" Europe that is already taking shape. Foreign secretary Philip Hammond has run this past senior European politicians as his favoured option, according to the BBC's Mark Mardell. And ministers say the other governments are "pretty clear" about what the UK actually wants. But speak to EU leaders at this summit, and you get a rather different picture. Two of them suggested to me that the UK is yet to put proper details on the table.
Farage hits back Read more from Laura
Farage vs Clegg (again)
UKIP leader Nigel Farage has responded to Mr Cameron's claim that Norway and Iceland were not models the UK should follow - saying both have thrived outside the EU.UKIP leader Nigel Farage has responded to Mr Cameron's claim that Norway and Iceland were not models the UK should follow - saying both have thrived outside the EU.
Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Mr Farage said there was "great irony that the prime minister has gone to make the case for the European Union in Reykjavik, the capital of a country that has benefited so immensely from being outside of the EU".Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Mr Farage said there was "great irony that the prime minister has gone to make the case for the European Union in Reykjavik, the capital of a country that has benefited so immensely from being outside of the EU".
But the UKIP leader added: "I don't want a Norwegian deal. Or an Icelandic one for that matter."But the UKIP leader added: "I don't want a Norwegian deal. Or an Icelandic one for that matter."
Instead he wanted "a new British deal once we leave the EU, one that suits the needs of our own country".Instead he wanted "a new British deal once we leave the EU, one that suits the needs of our own country".
The UKIP leader's old sparring partner Nick Clegg - remember their TV debates last year - has also weighed in.
The former deputy prime minister said there were no options that were better than remaining in the EU and Norway had a "fax democracy", having to transpose "letter for letter into Norwegian" instructions sent from a Brussels fax machine.
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme all countries with a semi-detached relationship with the EU, such as Iceland, Switzerland and Lichtenstein, suffered a "significant loss of control".
America not keen on BrexitAmerica not keen on Brexit
US Trade Representative Michael Froman said his country was "not in the market" for Free Trade Agreements with individual countries.US Trade Representative Michael Froman said his country was "not in the market" for Free Trade Agreements with individual countries.
He told Reuters Britain would face the same tariffs and trade barriers as other countries outside the US free trade network, which would mean British exports would cost more.He told Reuters Britain would face the same tariffs and trade barriers as other countries outside the US free trade network, which would mean British exports would cost more.
"We have no FTA with the UK so they would be subject to the same tariffs - and other trade-related measures - as China, or Brazil or India," he said."We have no FTA with the UK so they would be subject to the same tariffs - and other trade-related measures - as China, or Brazil or India," he said.
He added: "I think it's absolutely clear that Britain has a greater voice at the trade table being part of the EU, being part of a larger economic entity."He added: "I think it's absolutely clear that Britain has a greater voice at the trade table being part of the EU, being part of a larger economic entity."
Clegg wades into the debate
Ex-Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg has said "any of the options if we leave the European Union are worse than being a full member of the single market" because they would involve a "significant loss of control".
The former deputy prime minister said Norway had a "fax democracy", having to transpose "letter for letter into Norwegian" instructions sent from a Brussels fax machine.
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme all countries with a semi-detached relationship with the EU, such as Iceland, Switzerland and Lichtenstein, faced similar problems.
The fear factor?
Kate Hoey, co-chair of the Labour Leave campaign, told Today: "I think Nick Clegg - and indeed, I'm sorry to say, the prime minister - seems to be trying to introduce an element of fear into this whole debate.
"Are we really saying that Germany and other EU countries who rely on selling things to us are going to stop selling things to us?
"We are big enough and strong enough to be able to negotiate those terms without having to be under the protection and under the law of the EU."
The Labour MP for Vauxhall added: "The reality is that no-one on the sceptic side has said that they want the Norwegian option. We are all individual countries and we've all got our own interests."