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EU renegotiations: Pathway created after talks - Cameron | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
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 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. | |
He is facing opposition over his demand to stop EU migrants receiving in-work benefits for four years. | |
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 Cameron | Hard work ahead on EU, says Cameron |
EU to prioritise new border force | EU to prioritise new border force |
'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 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 vote | Membership vote |
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. |
UK's EU referendum in-depth | UK's EU referendum in-depth |
Q&A: What Britain wants from Europe | Q&A: What Britain wants from Europe |
Guide to the UK's planned in-out EU referendum | Guide to the UK's planned in-out EU referendum |
BBC News EU referendum special report | BBC News EU referendum special report |
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 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 were the migrant crisis, climate change and the fight against terrorism. |