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EU renegotiations: Pathway for deal found - Cameron EU renegotiations: Pathway for deal found - Cameron
(34 minutes later)
"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. "A pathway to a deal" on new terms for Britain's membership within the EU has been found by European leaders, Prime Minister David Cameron has said.
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. "Good progress" had been made at the EU summit in Brussels, but it would be "hard work" to finalise terms by the proposed deadline in February, he said.
Mr Cameron is demanding change on four issues, including curbing in-work benefits for EU migrants in the UK. He is demanding change on four issues, including stopping in-work benefits for EU migrants in the UK for four years.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said leaders "all want a compromise".German Chancellor Angela Merkel said leaders "all want a compromise".
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. Mr Cameron wants to get a new deal before putting the question of the UK's membership of the EU to an in-out referendum of British people by the end of 2017.
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". As well as controls on migrant benefits, he is also demanding protection for countries outside the eurozone on financial matters, measures to boost competitiveness and an exemption for the UK from the drive towards an "ever-closer union".
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BBC political correspondent Alex Forsyth said she understood a number of ideas were "kicked around the dinner table" by EU leaders at the summit on Thursday night.
There was suggestion among them that a legally binding agreement - and potentially treaty change down the line - would be possible, she said.
However, officials only had a very short timeframe in which to hammer out the technical details by February, she added.
'Better deal''Better deal'
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. Late on Thursday evening, Mr Cameron emerged from the talks and told reporters a "big step forward" had been taken for a "better deal" for Britain.
He said a "big step forward" had been taken for a "better deal" for Britain.
"There's still a lot of hard work to be done but there is a path through this," he said."There's still a lot of hard work to be done but there is a path through this," he said.
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."
He said the commission had said they believed there were "solutions" that could be found.
"Nothing is certain in life or in Brussels but there is a pathway to a deal in February," he said."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'Treaty change 'possible'
Mr Tusk said Mr Cameron had set out his position, especially on benefits and free movement. European Council president Donald Tusk said Mr Cameron had set out his position, particularly on benefits and free movement.
He said leaders had voiced concern but were willing to look for compromises.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.
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 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.
France and Germany are among a number of countries that say any deal must safeguard the free movement of people.
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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.
France and Germany are among a number of countries that say any deal must safeguard the free movement of people.
Also on the agenda at the European Council meeting were the migrant crisis, climate change and the fight against terrorism.Also on the agenda at the European Council meeting were the migrant crisis, climate change and the fight against terrorism.