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EU renegotiations: 'Good progress' at talks - Cameron EU renegotiations: Pathway created after talks - Cameron
(about 3 hours later)
PM David Cameron has said "really good progress" has been made at EU summit talks in Brussels but renegotiating UK membership would be "very difficult". UK Prime Minister David Cameron has said a pathway has been created for Britain to secure a deal to renegotiate its relationship with the EU.
Mr Cameron presented his bid to reform the UK's links with the EU at dinner on the first day of the two-day summit. Mr Cameron said "good progress" was made at the EU summit in Brussels but it would be tough to reach agreement at the next meeting in February.
The prime minister said hard work would be needed on the four issues for change he put forward at the meeting. He is facing opposition over his demand to stop EU migrants receiving in-work benefits for four years.
European Council president Donald Tusk said the talks represented a "make or break moment". European Council president Donald Tusk said it was a "make or break moment".
France and Germany are among a number of countries that say any deal must safeguard the free movement of people. Mr Cameron is seeking changes on four issues.
Hard work ahead on EU, says CameronHard work ahead on EU, says Cameron
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The main sticking point is Mr Cameron's plans to ban EU migrants from claiming in-work benefits, such as tax credits, for four years.
'Better deal''Better deal'
Mr Cameron said: "We are attempting something very difficult, attempting something that hasn't been tried by another country and that is to renegotiate our position inside this European Union at a time of our choosing, with a mandate of the British people.Mr Cameron said: "We are attempting something very difficult, attempting something that hasn't been tried by another country and that is to renegotiate our position inside this European Union at a time of our choosing, with a mandate of the British people.
"What has happened is we have taken a big step forward for a better deal for Britain. There's still a lot of hard work to be done but there is a path through this to a better deal for Britain.""What has happened is we have taken a big step forward for a better deal for Britain. There's still a lot of hard work to be done but there is a path through this to a better deal for Britain."
The prime minister added: "In terms of welfare, no I haven't put any other proposals on the table - I have put my four-year proposal on the table and it remains on the table. The prime minister added: "In terms of welfare, no, I haven't put any other proposals on the table - I have put my four-year proposal on the table and it remains on the table.
"The commission said that they believed there were solutions - not compromises, solutions. I am confident after tonight that we can find solutions.""The commission said that they believed there were solutions - not compromises, solutions. I am confident after tonight that we can find solutions."
Mr Tusk said Mr Cameron set out his position, especially on benefits and free movement.Mr Tusk said Mr Cameron set out his position, especially on benefits and free movement.
He added that leaders voiced concern but were willing to look for compromises.He added that leaders voiced concern but were willing to look for compromises.
"Building on this positive debate we agreed to work together to find solutions in all four baskets raised by Prime Minister Cameron," he said."Building on this positive debate we agreed to work together to find solutions in all four baskets raised by Prime Minister Cameron," he said.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said: "I am optimistic because we all want a compromise. But work on substance needs to be done. Treaty change might be possible. Not now but perhaps later."German Chancellor Angela Merkel said: "I am optimistic because we all want a compromise. But work on substance needs to be done. Treaty change might be possible. Not now but perhaps later."
French President Francois Hollande said there could be adjustments over Mr Cameron's demands but EU rules and principles must be respected.French President Francois Hollande said there could be adjustments over Mr Cameron's demands but EU rules and principles must be respected.
Membership voteMembership vote
European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker warned that all four of Mr Cameron's demands were difficult, and intensive negotiations were needed before the next summit in February. European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker warned that all four of Mr Cameron's demands were difficult, and intensive negotiations were needed before February.
He said: "I'd like to warn you of the illusory impression that there are three easy questions and one tricky one.He said: "I'd like to warn you of the illusory impression that there are three easy questions and one tricky one.
"There are four tricky questions, each one covers further questions and we have to consider all of those until February.""There are four tricky questions, each one covers further questions and we have to consider all of those until February."
BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg says there was no new detail of how the negotiations might conclude, just a pathway forward.BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg says there was no new detail of how the negotiations might conclude, just a pathway forward.
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Mr Cameron also wants protection for countries outside the eurozone, measures to boost competitiveness and an exemption for Britain from the drive towards an "ever-closer union". Mr Cameron is also demanding protection for countries outside the eurozone, measures to boost competitiveness and an exemption for the UK from the drive towards an "ever-closer union".
He wants to get a new deal for the UK before putting its membership to an in-out referendum by the end of 2017.He wants to get a new deal for the UK before putting its membership to an in-out referendum by the end of 2017.
Thursday's discussions over dinner were the first time EU leaders had discussed Mr Cameron's reform proposals in detail. Thursday's talks over dinner were the first time EU leaders had discussed Mr Cameron's reform proposals in detail.
Also on the agenda at the EU Council meeting was the migrant crisis, climate change and the fight against terrorism. Also on the agenda at the EU Council meeting were the migrant crisis, climate change and the fight against terrorism.