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David Cameron visits Brussels for crucial EU talks David Cameron visits Brussels for crucial EU talks
(35 minutes later)
David Cameron is holding crucial talks in Brussels, where he hopes to gain support for his EU reform demands.David Cameron is holding crucial talks in Brussels, where he hopes to gain support for his EU reform demands.
The prime minister is due to discuss the renegotiation with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and senior MEPs.The prime minister is due to discuss the renegotiation with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and senior MEPs.
This comes ahead of a two-day summit of EU leaders, which begins on Thursday.This comes ahead of a two-day summit of EU leaders, which begins on Thursday.
On Monday, EU Council president Donald Tusk said negotiations over the UK's demands were at a "critical moment" and warned the risk of break-up "is real".On Monday, EU Council president Donald Tusk said negotiations over the UK's demands were at a "critical moment" and warned the risk of break-up "is real".
Mr Tusk is overseeing the negotiation, and was speaking after talks with the Romanian and French presidents as part of a tour of European countries ahead of the summit later in the week.Mr Tusk is overseeing the negotiation, and was speaking after talks with the Romanian and French presidents as part of a tour of European countries ahead of the summit later in the week.
He said: "This is a critical moment. It is high time we started listening to each other's arguments more than to our own. It is natural in negotiations that positions harden, as we get closer to crunch time.He said: "This is a critical moment. It is high time we started listening to each other's arguments more than to our own. It is natural in negotiations that positions harden, as we get closer to crunch time.
"But the risk of break-up is real because this process is indeed very fragile. Handle with care. What is broken cannot be mended.""But the risk of break-up is real because this process is indeed very fragile. Handle with care. What is broken cannot be mended."
AnalysisAnalysis
By Katya Adler, Europe editorBy Katya Adler, Europe editor
David Cameron's hurried visit to Paris on Monday night is yet another significant sign that his EU reforms - dismissed as weak by critics in the UK - are seen by some in the EU as going too far.David Cameron's hurried visit to Paris on Monday night is yet another significant sign that his EU reforms - dismissed as weak by critics in the UK - are seen by some in the EU as going too far.
France is worried by the prime minister's push to protect non-euro countries from eurozone regulations.France is worried by the prime minister's push to protect non-euro countries from eurozone regulations.
Now, you could say that sounds entirely reasonable. Most EU countries use the euro. Why should they be allowed to gang up, to the disadvantage of non-euro countries like Britain?Now, you could say that sounds entirely reasonable. Most EU countries use the euro. Why should they be allowed to gang up, to the disadvantage of non-euro countries like Britain?
But France thinks David Cameron and UK Chancellor George Osborne are being sneaky.But France thinks David Cameron and UK Chancellor George Osborne are being sneaky.
It suspects they are using the argument to win an unfair advantage for the City of London and a backdoor veto on eurozone and wider EU financial legislation.It suspects they are using the argument to win an unfair advantage for the City of London and a backdoor veto on eurozone and wider EU financial legislation.
The French economy is sluggish, to put it politely, and the French president is about to enter the political race for re-election.The French economy is sluggish, to put it politely, and the French president is about to enter the political race for re-election.
He cannot be seen to open the door for Britain to do even better financially while his eurozone hands are tied.He cannot be seen to open the door for Britain to do even better financially while his eurozone hands are tied.
Is David Cameron seeking an EU reform too far?Is David Cameron seeking an EU reform too far?
A simple guide to how the EU worksA simple guide to how the EU works
Read more:Read more:
BBC Europe correspondent Chris Morris said: "The prime minister has said repeatedly that his proposed deal with the rest of the EU will be legally binding - but several parts of it will require legislative changes that will need the support of MEPs, and of other EU countries, after a British referendum.
"Mr Cameron wants guarantees that that will happen - but it's a difficult thing to pin down."
On Tuesday morning, Mr Cameron met with the president of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, who described the talks as "very constructive".On Tuesday morning, Mr Cameron met with the president of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, who described the talks as "very constructive".
Mr Schulz said he gave the PM an assurance that once a deal was agreed by EU leaders, the European Parliament would start the legislative process as soon as possible - but he said he could not guarantee the outcome of that legislation. Mr Schulz said once a deal was agreed by EU leaders, the European Parliament would start the legislative process as soon as possible - but he said he could not guarantee the outcome of that legislation.
Critics argue that the European Parliament could change the terms of the deal after the UK referendum if Britain voted to remain in the EU.Critics argue that the European Parliament could change the terms of the deal after the UK referendum if Britain voted to remain in the EU.
Mr Schulz also insisted that any changes must be made within the framework of EU treaties, saying no treaty changes are possible "for the time being". Mr Schulz insisted that any changes must be made within the framework of EU treaties, saying no treaty changes are possible "for the time being".
Mr Cameron is also due to meet European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, who said on Monday that he expected child benefit proposals in the draft deal to be at the heart of debate this week.Mr Cameron is also due to meet European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, who said on Monday that he expected child benefit proposals in the draft deal to be at the heart of debate this week.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Czech Europe minister Tomas Prouza said he expected Mr Cameron's planned curbs to child benefit for EU migrants would only apply to new applicants - and not affect the existing 34,000 migrants in the UK who receive it.Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Czech Europe minister Tomas Prouza said he expected Mr Cameron's planned curbs to child benefit for EU migrants would only apply to new applicants - and not affect the existing 34,000 migrants in the UK who receive it.
Downing Street has so far refused to say whether the proposed changes to child benefit would apply to existing, as well as new, applicants.Downing Street has so far refused to say whether the proposed changes to child benefit would apply to existing, as well as new, applicants.
The move is likely to prompt further accusations that the PM is having to water down his demands, having originally proposed halting the payment of child benefit altogether.The move is likely to prompt further accusations that the PM is having to water down his demands, having originally proposed halting the payment of child benefit altogether.
Instead, the benefit payments would be linked to the cost of living in the country where the child lives, under the terms of the draft deal.Instead, the benefit payments would be linked to the cost of living in the country where the child lives, under the terms of the draft deal.
Eastern European countries are also uneasy that other EU countries may seek to copy the changes on child benefit and in work benefits being proposed by the UK.Eastern European countries are also uneasy that other EU countries may seek to copy the changes on child benefit and in work benefits being proposed by the UK.
After talks between Mr Cameron and French president Francois Hollande in Paris late on Monday, a Downing Street spokesman said they had held "constructive discussions" on the UK renegotiation.After talks between Mr Cameron and French president Francois Hollande in Paris late on Monday, a Downing Street spokesman said they had held "constructive discussions" on the UK renegotiation.
"They agreed that we are making good progress... and that the draft text from the European Council provides a firm basis to reach agreement at this week's summit," the spokesman said."They agreed that we are making good progress... and that the draft text from the European Council provides a firm basis to reach agreement at this week's summit," the spokesman said.
BBC Europe correspondent Chris Morris says: "David Cameron begins his day at the European parliament, where he needs to win some friends.
"The prime minister has said repeatedly that his proposed deal with the rest of the EU will be legally binding - but several parts of it will require legislative changes that will need the support of MEPs, and of other EU countries, after a British referendum.
"Mr Cameron wants guarantees that that will happen - but it's a difficult thing to pin down."
If a deal is agreed on the PM's reforms, he will hold a cabinet meeting on Friday evening, sources have told the BBC.If a deal is agreed on the PM's reforms, he will hold a cabinet meeting on Friday evening, sources have told the BBC.
Downing Street has said ministers cannot speak out until the cabinet has met to agree a government position, and it had been claimed this would give the Remain campaign an unfair head start if a meeting was delayed until the following week.Downing Street has said ministers cannot speak out until the cabinet has met to agree a government position, and it had been claimed this would give the Remain campaign an unfair head start if a meeting was delayed until the following week.
Mr Cameron is seeking key changes on European integration, business competiveness, benefits restrictions and the operation of the eurozone.Mr Cameron is seeking key changes on European integration, business competiveness, benefits restrictions and the operation of the eurozone.
The prime minister has promised an in-out referendum on whether the UK should remain within the EU by the end of 2017.The prime minister has promised an in-out referendum on whether the UK should remain within the EU by the end of 2017.
Are you in the UK or any other EU member state? What are your views on the current negotiations? What outcome are you seeking? Share your views. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you in the UK or any other EU member state? What are your views on the current negotiations? What outcome are you seeking? Share your views. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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