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EU referendum: David Cameron says 'some progress' as talks resume EU referendum: Cameron hopes of deal delayed as talks continue
(about 1 hour later)
David Cameron is continuing his talks at the EU summit after an all night session failed to result in a deal. David Cameron's hopes of getting a reform deal on Friday look in doubt as haggling continues at the EU summit.
Mr Cameron said there had been "some progress" in the talks which broke up at 05:30 GMT, as he went into a round of one-to-one meetings with EU leaders. European leaders have reportedly been told to book hotels as talks on a final text, planned for breakfast, slipped back first to lunch, and now to dinner.
He aims to get a deal by the end of the two day summit later on Friday so that he can push ahead with plans for a referendum in June. Several EU nations are digging their heels in over plans to curb migrant benefits and change EU regulations.
But significant sticking points remain on benefit curbs and EU regulations. The prime minster had planned to return to the UK to fire the starting gun on an EU referendum campaign on Friday.
European Council President Donald Tusk said there had been "some progress" but "a lot still remains to be done". He sounded cautiously optimistic on Friday morning, saying there had been "some progress" in marathon all night talks, which broke up at 05:30 GMT.
The aim had been to conclude the deal at an "English breakfast" meeting, which became an "English brunch", then an "English lunch" and has now been delayed to 15:00 GMT (16:00 in Brussels). But stumbling blocks still remain after a day of one-to-one meetings and there is speculation talks will continue into Saturday.
There is speculation that talks could continue over the weekend. The original aim had been to conclude the deal at an "English breakfast" meeting on Friday, which became an "English brunch", then an "English lunch" and has now been delayed to dinner, at 19:00 GMT.
Mr Cameron's plan had been to get a deal on Friday morning and then head back to London for an emergency cabinet meeting at which he would commit the government to campaign for Britain to stay in a reformed EU. That would trigger the start of the referendum campaign and allow ministers who want Britain to leave the EU to speak out. Mr Cameron's plan had been to head back to London, with a deal in his pocket, for an emergency cabinet meeting at which he would commit the government to campaign for Britain to stay in a reformed EU. That would trigger the start of the referendum campaign and allow ministers who want Britain to leave the EU to speak out.
But Downing Street sources have told the BBC it was increasingly unlikely a cabinet meeting would now be held on Friday.But Downing Street sources have told the BBC it was increasingly unlikely a cabinet meeting would now be held on Friday.
They said it was still possible a deal could be done but they "genuinely don't know" whether it will happen.They said it was still possible a deal could be done but they "genuinely don't know" whether it will happen.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel was reported by the Reuters news agency as saying it had become "clear that agreement will not be easy for many, but that the will is there". There are signs that some of the stark differences expressed on Thursday, at the start of the two day summit, are starting to narrow.
Arriving at the summit venue on Friday morning, French President Francois Hollande made it clear that France continues to resist a deal on financial regulation aimed at protecting the City of London from new regulations imposed by the eurozone countries. Poland's Europe minister Konrad Szymanski said a deal was "close", telling reporters: "We managed to have a compromise on many, many issues... but we still need more clarification, more guarantees to get the compromise which would be satisfactory for both sides. There's still some way to go, we need some hours."
"Since last night, there are proposals that have been changed, notably on what concerns France - the wish to have a financial regulation system which is valid in all parts of Europe, and that there should be no right of veto or prevention." Poland is among four Central European countries resisting a British demand for an "emergency brake" on in-work benefits for migrant workers to be in place for as long as 13 years.
The first EU Council session ended on Thursday with no agreement on several issues, and an EU source said that while it had been "intense and constructive" with all the countries confirming their wish for the UK to stay in the bloc, some also set out specific concerns. France and Austria both voiced concern that Mr Cameron's demand for safeguards for non-eurozone countries, aimed at protecting the City of London from new financial regulations, might impede the development of the single currency.
AnalysisAnalysis
By assistant political editor Norman SmithBy assistant political editor Norman Smith
The ongoing tussle in Brussels has been seized on at Westminster by both sides in this debate.The ongoing tussle in Brussels has been seized on at Westminster by both sides in this debate.
Supporters of the prime minister say it underlines how fundamental the changes are the prime minister is seeking - in terms of curbing migration, safeguards for the City and an opt out from further political integration.Supporters of the prime minister say it underlines how fundamental the changes are the prime minister is seeking - in terms of curbing migration, safeguards for the City and an opt out from further political integration.
Opponents insist the difficulties show how resistant Brussels is to even modest reform.Opponents insist the difficulties show how resistant Brussels is to even modest reform.
Former cabinet minister and leading Eurosceptic Owen Paterson dismissed the talks as a sideshow, a pantomime.Former cabinet minister and leading Eurosceptic Owen Paterson dismissed the talks as a sideshow, a pantomime.
Meanwhile, both campaigns are preparing for the possibility that a deal may not be done in time to hold a cabinet meeting later today - which may now have to be postponed until tomorrow.Meanwhile, both campaigns are preparing for the possibility that a deal may not be done in time to hold a cabinet meeting later today - which may now have to be postponed until tomorrow.
Once that is held, however, ministers will at last be free to campaign on both sides of the argument - with a number of ministers opposed to Britain's membership expected to speak out over the weekend.Once that is held, however, ministers will at last be free to campaign on both sides of the argument - with a number of ministers opposed to Britain's membership expected to speak out over the weekend.
Laura Kuenssberg: Tory activists hail EU deal... before it's doneLaura Kuenssberg: Tory activists hail EU deal... before it's done
"We expected this," the EU source said: "But honestly we had hoped for some of them to be less critical." President Francois Hollande said France wanted "a financial regulation system which is valid in all parts of Europe" with no "right of veto" for individual countries.
An EU source spoke of five key areas where agreement had not been reached: Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann said the UK must not be allowed to exercise "a blockade against genuine banking union or other deepening of the eurozone".
It is understood Mr Cameron continues to face resistance to his plans to curb in-work benefits for EU migrants. One UK official said: "Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed... what matters is that we get the right deal, it doesn't matter how long it takes."
But he is thought to have rejected calls from the Central European nations, represented in the overnight talks by Czech prime minister Bohuslav Sobotka, for cuts in child benefit for offspring living overseas to be imposed only on new migrants. An EU source spoke of five key areas where talks were on-going:
Mr Cameron is thought to have rejected calls from the Central European nations, represented in the overnight talks by Czech prime minister Bohuslav Sobotka, for cuts in child benefit for offspring living overseas to be imposed only on new migrants.
Belgium - backed by France - proposed that the summit conclusions should state that any deal agreed this week is final and the EU will not come back with an improved offer if Britain votes to leave.Belgium - backed by France - proposed that the summit conclusions should state that any deal agreed this week is final and the EU will not come back with an improved offer if Britain votes to leave.
The move is designed to kill off the idea, backed by some Eurosceptics that a Leave vote would give the UK leverage to extract further concessions from the EU before a second poll.The move is designed to kill off the idea, backed by some Eurosceptics that a Leave vote would give the UK leverage to extract further concessions from the EU before a second poll.
UKIP leader Nigel Farage said he expected Mr Cameron to come back with a deal from Brussels, as the other leaders would recognise how "embarrassing" it would be for him to return empty-handed.UKIP leader Nigel Farage said he expected Mr Cameron to come back with a deal from Brussels, as the other leaders would recognise how "embarrassing" it would be for him to return empty-handed.
But he added: "He hasn't asked for us to get back supremacy for our Parliament, he hasn't asked for us to control our own borders, he hasn't asked to reduce the vast daily fees we pay.But he added: "He hasn't asked for us to get back supremacy for our Parliament, he hasn't asked for us to control our own borders, he hasn't asked to reduce the vast daily fees we pay.
"We will be allowed - after he has come here like Oliver Twist and begged for concessions - to control migrant benefits for up to four years. I find the whole thing as a British person pretty shameful.""We will be allowed - after he has come here like Oliver Twist and begged for concessions - to control migrant benefits for up to four years. I find the whole thing as a British person pretty shameful."
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said his party would be campaigning for Britain to remain in the EU - but he branded David Cameron's renegotiations "a theatrical sideshow, designed to appease his opponents within the Conservative Party".Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said his party would be campaigning for Britain to remain in the EU - but he branded David Cameron's renegotiations "a theatrical sideshow, designed to appease his opponents within the Conservative Party".
What happens next?What happens next?
Friday:Friday:
15:00 GMT: Main meeting on UK's reforms, following overnight talks and one-to-one sessions between Mr Cameron and other EU leaders If David Cameron gets a deal, he will return to the UK and hold an emergency cabinet meeting - possibly on Saturday - to reach an agreed position on remaining in the EU. At this point, ministers who want Britain out of the EU will be allowed to speak out.
If David Cameron gets a deal, he will return to the UK as quickly as possible to hold an emergency cabinet meeting to reach an agreed position on remaining in the EU. At this point, ministers who want Britain out of the EU will be allowed to speak out.
Mr Cameron may then announce the date of the UK's referendum, although he does not have to do soMr Cameron may then announce the date of the UK's referendum, although he does not have to do so
17 March:
The next scheduled EU summit - at which Mr Cameron could have another chance to get a deal. There has also been talk of a special summit at the end of February
Thursday 23 June:Thursday 23 June:
Still seen as the most likely date of a UK referendum if Mr Cameron gets a deal in February or March, but he has until the end of 2017 to hold one Still seen as the most likely date of a UK referendum if Mr Cameron gets a deal in February (or the March EU summit) but he has until the end of 2017 to hold one.
Read more:Read more:
What are your views about the UK's place in the EU? Are you from one of the other member states? Tell us if the possibility of the UK leaving the EU will affect you or not? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.ukWhat are your views about the UK's place in the EU? Are you from one of the other member states? Tell us if the possibility of the UK leaving the EU will affect you or not? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk
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