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| EU referendum: David Cameron in Brussels for crucial EU talks | EU referendum: David Cameron in Brussels for crucial EU talks |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| David Cameron is in Brussels to drum up European Parliament support for his EU reform demands, ahead of a key summit. | David Cameron is in Brussels to drum up European Parliament support for his EU reform demands, ahead of a key summit. |
| A final deal on the UK's renegotiation is expected to be agreed when EU leaders gather on Thursday, paving the way for the UK's in/out referendum. | A final deal on the UK's renegotiation is expected to be agreed when EU leaders gather on Thursday, paving the way for the UK's in/out referendum. |
| Speaking after talks with Mr Cameron on Tuesday, European Parliament President Martin Schulz said MEPs would adopt a "constructive" approach to any deal. | Speaking after talks with Mr Cameron on Tuesday, European Parliament President Martin Schulz said MEPs would adopt a "constructive" approach to any deal. |
| But he said he could offer no guarantees it would get MEPs' backing. | But he said he could offer no guarantees it would get MEPs' backing. |
| Several parts of the final deal on the UK's renegotiation will require legislative changes that will need the support of MEPs, and of other EU countries, after a British referendum. | Several parts of the final deal on the UK's renegotiation will require legislative changes that will need the support of MEPs, and of other EU countries, after a British referendum. |
| Mr Cameron is also meeting European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker to discuss the reforms the UK is seeking to its relationship with the EU, as he continues his diplomatic push. | Mr Cameron is also meeting European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker to discuss the reforms the UK is seeking to its relationship with the EU, as he continues his diplomatic push. |
| Ahead of the meeting, Mr Juncker said there was no "plan B" as he refused to contemplate Britain leaving the 28-member bloc. | Ahead of the meeting, Mr Juncker said there was no "plan B" as he refused to contemplate Britain leaving the 28-member bloc. |
| "I am not entering into the details of a plan B, because we don't have a plan B, we have a plan A. Britain will stay in the European Union as a constructive and active member of the Union," he said. | "I am not entering into the details of a plan B, because we don't have a plan B, we have a plan A. Britain will stay in the European Union as a constructive and active member of the Union," he said. |
| A guide to how the EU works | A guide to how the EU works |
| European Council president Donald Tusk, who is overseeing the UK's renegotiation, has said talks on the draft deal were "fragile". | European Council president Donald Tusk, who is overseeing the UK's renegotiation, has said talks on the draft deal were "fragile". |
| On Monday, he warned that the negotiations over the UK's demands were at a "critical moment" and "the risk of break-up is real". | On Monday, he warned that the negotiations over the UK's demands were at a "critical moment" and "the risk of break-up is real". |
| In a separate development on Tuesday the Duke of Cambridge, Prince William, spoke at a Foreign Office awards ceremony of how "in an increasingly turbulent world, our ability to unite in common action with other nations is essential". | In a separate development on Tuesday the Duke of Cambridge, Prince William, spoke at a Foreign Office awards ceremony of how "in an increasingly turbulent world, our ability to unite in common action with other nations is essential". |
| This was interpreted by some as signalling the Duke's support for staying in the EU, with Britain Stronger in Europe saying "people from all walks of life are getting behind the campaign". However the rival Leave.EU campaign said they "could just as easily claim" his words showed "we should not give any importance to the EU". | |
| A spokesman for the prince later denied it was an intervention in the EU debate, saying it was a speech to young diplomats and the word "Europe" was not mentioned once. | |
| 'Not binding' | 'Not binding' |
| European Parliament president Mr Schulz, who described his meeting with Mr Cameron on Tuesday as "very constructive", said that once a deal was agreed by EU leaders, MEPs would start the legislative process as soon as possible. | European Parliament president Mr Schulz, who described his meeting with Mr Cameron on Tuesday as "very constructive", said that once a deal was agreed by EU leaders, MEPs would start the legislative process as soon as possible. |
| But he cautioned: "To be quite clear: no government can go to a parliament and say, 'this is our proposal, can you give a guarantee about the result?'. This is, in democracy, not possible. | But he cautioned: "To be quite clear: no government can go to a parliament and say, 'this is our proposal, can you give a guarantee about the result?'. This is, in democracy, not possible. |
| "Therefore my answer is the European Parliament will do the utmost to support compromise and a fair deal, but I can't pre-empt the result in the European Parliament." | "Therefore my answer is the European Parliament will do the utmost to support compromise and a fair deal, but I can't pre-empt the result in the European Parliament." |
| He said in his experience "it does go in a good direction" when there has been such an agreement between all the heads of state. | He said in his experience "it does go in a good direction" when there has been such an agreement between all the heads of state. |
| Mr Schulz also insisted that everything must be done within the framework of EU treaties, saying no treaty changes are possible "for the time being". | Mr Schulz also insisted that everything must be done within the framework of EU treaties, saying no treaty changes are possible "for the time being". |
| 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. |
| Leave.EU - one of the groups campaigning for an EU exit - said Mr Schulz's comments showed the PM's draft deal "is not binding without a new treaty that the European Court in Strasbourg has to adhere to". | Leave.EU - one of the groups campaigning for an EU exit - said Mr Schulz's comments showed the PM's draft deal "is not binding without a new treaty that the European Court in Strasbourg has to adhere to". |
| Benefits compromise? | Benefits compromise? |
| Mr Cameron's planned curbs to child benefit for EU migrants appear to be a sticking point in the talks with the EU, with unease from eastern European countries. | Mr Cameron's planned curbs to child benefit for EU migrants appear to be a sticking point in the talks with the EU, with unease from eastern European countries. |
| European Commission President Mr Juncker, who the PM is meeting on Tuesday - said he expected the proposed benefit changes to be at the heart of debate this week. | European Commission President Mr Juncker, who the PM is meeting on Tuesday - said he expected the proposed benefit changes to be at the heart of debate this week. |
| Czech Europe minister Tomas Prouza told BBC Radio 4's Today programme he expected the proposals would only apply to new applicants, and not affect the existing 34,000 migrants in the UK who receive it. | Czech Europe minister Tomas Prouza told BBC Radio 4's Today programme he expected the proposals 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 changes extend to existing claimants or not. | Downing Street has so far refused to say whether the changes extend to existing claimants or not. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
| Or use the form below | Or use the form below |