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EU renegotiations: Pathway created after talks - Cameron EU renegotiations: Pathway for deal found - Cameron
(about 2 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. "A pathway to a deal" on new terms for Britain's membership within the EU has been found by European leaders, David Cameron has said.
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 "good progress" was made at the EU summit in Brussels, but it would be tough to finalise terms by the proposed deadline in February.
He is facing opposition over his demand to stop EU migrants receiving in-work benefits for four years. Mr Cameron is demanding change on four issues, including curbing in-work benefits for EU migrants in the UK.
European Council president Donald Tusk said it was a "make or break moment". German Chancellor Angela Merkel said leaders "all want a compromise".
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. Mr Cameron wants to get a new deal for the UK before putting its membership to an in-out referendum by the end of 2017.
Hard work ahead on EU, says Cameron As well as controls on migrant benefits, he 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".
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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 Britain was attempting "something very difficult", that had not been tried by another country, in aiming to renegotiate its position inside the European Union at a time of its choosing.
"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." He said a "big step forward" had been taken for 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. "There's still a lot of hard work to be done but there is a path through this," he said.
"The commission said that they believed there were solutions - not compromises, solutions. I am confident after tonight that we can find solutions." 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."
Mr Tusk said Mr Cameron set out his position, especially on benefits and free movement. He said the commission had said they believed there were "solutions" that could be found.
He added that leaders voiced concern but were willing to look for compromises. "Nothing is certain in life or in Brussels but there is a pathway to a deal in February," he said.
"But the truth is it will be very hard work."
Treaty change 'possible'
Mr Tusk said Mr Cameron had set out his position, especially on benefits and free movement.
He said leaders had 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
European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker warned that all four of Mr Cameron's demands were difficult, and intensive negotiations were needed before 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 Mr Cameron's appeal to his EU counterparts was a wider political call for help - he referred to the tightening polls at home, and the support of those who want to stay in the EU appearing to erode.
"To pass the political test he set himself, he needs his fellow EU leaders to do more than show willing but to accept at least strands of his ideas", she said.
Thursday's talks over dinner were the first time EU leaders had discussed Mr Cameron's reform proposals in detail.
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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". Also on the agenda at the European Council meeting were the migrant crisis, climate change and the fight against terrorism.
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.