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EU summit: Schulz hopes negotiations on UK deal will end 'today' – live EU summit: Schulz hopes negotiations on UK deal will end 'today' – live
(35 minutes later)
12.32pm GMT
12:32
He’s been a relatively peripheral figure so far overall in at these talks (in contrast to many other) but could Greece’s Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras be about to start playing a more assertive role?
It get worse... Greek PM Tsipras says he'll veto all Cameron's work without commitment there'll be no closure of Greece's northern border
12.31pm GMT
12:31
MPs, like the rest of us, our waiting for news of a deal.
12.24pm GMT
12:24
Nicholas Watt
Downing Street sources say David Cameron is about to have a meeting with the Polish prime minister Beata Szydlo who has voiced concerns about UK demands for restrictions on in-work benefits and child benefit.
Updated
at 12.30pm GMT
12.22pm GMT
12:22
He told us so? The Guardian’s Berlin bureau chief, Philip Oltermann, wondered a year ago if David Cameron would pay the price for trying to negotiate with Germany over Eastern Europe’s head.
If Britain really wants to have a serious conversation about immigration with the rest of the EU – as now every party insists it does – it needs to start talkingto the countries it has spent a year talking about.
With a Polish president of the European council, and commission vice-presidents from Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia and Slovenia, politicians from the former eastern bloc are an increasingly powerful voice in Brussels.
Has Cameron been paying the price in the last 48 hours?
12.06pm GMT
12:06
Ben Quinn
A new poll suggests that 36 percent of Britons would vote to leave the European Union, with 34 percent in favour of staying.
It’s a figure that won’t please David Cameron as he continues to negotiate in Brussels. But it’s also worth keeping in mind that telephone polls have tended to suggest support is higher for staying in the EU than those, like this one from TNS, which are based on online responses.
The poll of more than 1,000 people, carried out between February 11 and 15, also found that 23 percent are still undecided.
When respondents were asked what they thought the result of the referendum would be, 38 percent said they thought the UK would remain in the EU against 28 percent who believed that there would be a withdrawal.
As with other research, the poll found that support for staying in was at its highest among the young. Nearly half of 18 to 24-year-olds want the UK to remain. By contrast, 46 percent of those aged over 55 wanted to leave.
Scottish voters, again, were also more likely to want to remain, with 45 percent wanting the UK to stay in the union.
Updated
at 12.07pm GMT
12.01pm GMT
12:01
English lunch delayed
The “English Lunch” has been put back till 2.30pm (CET) 1.30pm (GMT) as bilateral talks continue.
Donald Tusk’s spokesman Preben Aamann announced the changing timetable.
"English lunch" now scheduled for 14h30. Tusk @eucopresident & @JunckerEU continue second round of bilateral consultations on #UKinEU
Updated
at 12.02pm GMT
11.53am GMT11.53am GMT
11:5311:53
The Visegrad-4 of Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and Czech Republic are still troubled by Britain’s plans to restrict child benefit to EU migrants, Jennifer Rankin reports.The Visegrad-4 of Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and Czech Republic are still troubled by Britain’s plans to restrict child benefit to EU migrants, Jennifer Rankin reports.
#Visegrad four v unhappy with child benefit proposals: ' we thought it was UK, now many other countries want to do the same'. #EUCO#Visegrad four v unhappy with child benefit proposals: ' we thought it was UK, now many other countries want to do the same'. #EUCO
#V4 coordination meeting before 2day of #EUCO on #UKinEU pic.twitter.com/J8QmzA7nXl#V4 coordination meeting before 2day of #EUCO on #UKinEU pic.twitter.com/J8QmzA7nXl
European Council President Donald Tusk has been holding talks with Czech leader Bohuslav Sobotka in an attempt to allay those concerns.European Council President Donald Tusk has been holding talks with Czech leader Bohuslav Sobotka in an attempt to allay those concerns.
Tusk meeting Visegrad chair Czech leader Sobotka -there will be a series of bilaterals before a new plenary. Tusk/ Juncker testing solutionsTusk meeting Visegrad chair Czech leader Sobotka -there will be a series of bilaterals before a new plenary. Tusk/ Juncker testing solutions
11.41am GMT11.41am GMT
11:4111:41
Ian TraynorIan Traynor
Ian Traynor has more on emergency brake haggling:Ian Traynor has more on emergency brake haggling:
While Cameron demanded a 13-year period for applying the four-year emergency brake on in-work benefits for EU migrant workers in the UK and the east European countries would allow no longer than five years, Jean-Claude Juncker, the president of the European Commission suggested a duration of seven years.While Cameron demanded a 13-year period for applying the four-year emergency brake on in-work benefits for EU migrant workers in the UK and the east European countries would allow no longer than five years, Jean-Claude Juncker, the president of the European Commission suggested a duration of seven years.
The UK demand was also for seven years but then extendable by two three-year stretches. According to sources in the negotiations, no one actually believes that the emergency brake will ever be extended, so seven years could be the outcome.The UK demand was also for seven years but then extendable by two three-year stretches. According to sources in the negotiations, no one actually believes that the emergency brake will ever be extended, so seven years could be the outcome.
Britain and eastern Europe are also sharply at odds over new rules indexing child benefit payments for EU migrants in the UK and elsewhere in western Europe. Britain insists that the new rules apply to all EU migrant workers in the UK, while the east Europeans argue it can only be used for new cases.Britain and eastern Europe are also sharply at odds over new rules indexing child benefit payments for EU migrants in the UK and elsewhere in western Europe. Britain insists that the new rules apply to all EU migrant workers in the UK, while the east Europeans argue it can only be used for new cases.
The compromise being suggested here, according to negotiating sources, is for a transition period of several years before all EU migrant workers have the benefits indexed. This is to apply only where the migrants’ offspring have been left at home.The compromise being suggested here, according to negotiating sources, is for a transition period of several years before all EU migrant workers have the benefits indexed. This is to apply only where the migrants’ offspring have been left at home.
11.38am GMT11.38am GMT
11:3811:38
Alberto NardelliAlberto Nardelli
France is not alone in concerns that the UK is seeking to carve out from EU-wide regulations special protections and veto powers for the City of London, writes Alberto Nardelli.France is not alone in concerns that the UK is seeking to carve out from EU-wide regulations special protections and veto powers for the City of London, writes Alberto Nardelli.
Although President François Hollande has been the most vocal of the EU leaders about this issue the Guardian understands from sources close to the negotiations that the French position is also backed by Germany, Italy, Belgium and Luxembourg.Although President François Hollande has been the most vocal of the EU leaders about this issue the Guardian understands from sources close to the negotiations that the French position is also backed by Germany, Italy, Belgium and Luxembourg.
At a press conference on Thursday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that Britain’s concerns were legitimate but she stressed the need for a level playing field in the internal market - including the financial markets.At a press conference on Thursday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that Britain’s concerns were legitimate but she stressed the need for a level playing field in the internal market - including the financial markets.
11.30am GMT11.30am GMT
11:3011:30
European Parliament President Martin Schulz said he had the impression that “the different positions are moving towards one another” and hoped that negotiations would come to an end today.European Parliament President Martin Schulz said he had the impression that “the different positions are moving towards one another” and hoped that negotiations would come to an end today.
But he made clear that the topics on the table in Brussels would be subject to “intensive” consideration by MPs at the European Parliament.But he made clear that the topics on the table in Brussels would be subject to “intensive” consideration by MPs at the European Parliament.
Schulz said he wanted the UK to remain in the EU, but added: “We must make clear that the method ‘I will tell you what you must do in order for me to stay’ doesn’t work. We have to reach out to one another. I have the impression that David Cameron sees that.”Schulz said he wanted the UK to remain in the EU, but added: “We must make clear that the method ‘I will tell you what you must do in order for me to stay’ doesn’t work. We have to reach out to one another. I have the impression that David Cameron sees that.”
Jennifer Rankin in Brussels has the latest on the haggling about the timing of Britain’s proposals to freeze in-work benefits.Jennifer Rankin in Brussels has the latest on the haggling about the timing of Britain’s proposals to freeze in-work benefits.
Rest of EU favourable on 7-yr freeze on in-work benefits, same as transitional controls on free movement. UK opening bid was 13, Visegrad 5.Rest of EU favourable on 7-yr freeze on in-work benefits, same as transitional controls on free movement. UK opening bid was 13, Visegrad 5.
Schulz’s Twitter feed said he had a “very constructive” meeting with Matteo Renzi and Jean-Claude Juncker.Schulz’s Twitter feed said he had a “very constructive” meeting with Matteo Renzi and Jean-Claude Juncker.
Good to host @JunckerEU & @matteorenzi at EP premises in #EUCO. Very constructive meeting pic.twitter.com/MUDEFWGcyUGood to host @JunckerEU & @matteorenzi at EP premises in #EUCO. Very constructive meeting pic.twitter.com/MUDEFWGcyU
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.34am GMTat 11.34am GMT
11.22am GMT11.22am GMT
11:2211:22
Downing Street sources told the Guardian’s Nicholas Watt, that they are in a “hinterland” where there could be a deal on Friday but there may not be one. “There could be a deal today or maybe there won’t one,” one No 10 source said. “We are in a hinterland.”Downing Street sources told the Guardian’s Nicholas Watt, that they are in a “hinterland” where there could be a deal on Friday but there may not be one. “There could be a deal today or maybe there won’t one,” one No 10 source said. “We are in a hinterland.”
In the event of a late deal the prime minister is prepared to hold a cabinet meeting on Friday evening or on Saturday. Tusk has said the summit could last until Sunday although this was being discounted by British officials.In the event of a late deal the prime minister is prepared to hold a cabinet meeting on Friday evening or on Saturday. Tusk has said the summit could last until Sunday although this was being discounted by British officials.
One official told PA that discussions on French concerns about financial regulation as “significant”.One official told PA that discussions on French concerns about financial regulation as “significant”.
But he added: “Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed.But he added: “Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed.
“We are still here, we are still talking, so in that sense we are moving forwards. Is there a specific deal on a specific area? No.”“We are still here, we are still talking, so in that sense we are moving forwards. Is there a specific deal on a specific area? No.”
Cameron was ready to keep talking into the evening if necessary, and could still call a special Cabinet meeting in the evening if a deal was reached, said officials.Cameron was ready to keep talking into the evening if necessary, and could still call a special Cabinet meeting in the evening if a deal was reached, said officials.
Asked how the UK responded to a suggestion from Tusk that the Council summit may have to be extended to Sunday to secure agreement, British officials said: “What matters is that we get the right deal, it doesn’t matter how long it takes.”Asked how the UK responded to a suggestion from Tusk that the Council summit may have to be extended to Sunday to secure agreement, British officials said: “What matters is that we get the right deal, it doesn’t matter how long it takes.”
UK officials denied they were disappointed with the pace of progress, insisting: “We always thought this was going to be really tough.”UK officials denied they were disappointed with the pace of progress, insisting: “We always thought this was going to be really tough.”
Tusk is expected to conclude one-on-one talks with national leaders by early afternoon, at which point he will assess whether he has a text worth putting before them for discussion between all 28.Tusk is expected to conclude one-on-one talks with national leaders by early afternoon, at which point he will assess whether he has a text worth putting before them for discussion between all 28.
11.15am GMT11.15am GMT
11:1511:15
Cameron: 'we're happy to stay till Sunday'Cameron: 'we're happy to stay till Sunday'
Cameron says the talks could last till Sunday, according to the BBC’s Katya Adler in Brussels.Cameron says the talks could last till Sunday, according to the BBC’s Katya Adler in Brussels.
In aside to press, Cameron says: We're happy to stay till Sunday. I've told the wife and children #EUCOIn aside to press, Cameron says: We're happy to stay till Sunday. I've told the wife and children #EUCO
More timetable updates from Jennifer Rankin in Brussels.More timetable updates from Jennifer Rankin in Brussels.
David Cameron is meeting Donald Tusk for bilateral talks, then Matteo Renzi, before full #EUCO discussion at 1.30.David Cameron is meeting Donald Tusk for bilateral talks, then Matteo Renzi, before full #EUCO discussion at 1.30.
Donald Tusk has apparently said he is ready to stay until Sunday, although EU sources still hopeful of a teatime deal #EUCODonald Tusk has apparently said he is ready to stay until Sunday, although EU sources still hopeful of a teatime deal #EUCO
11.09am GMT11.09am GMT
11:0911:09
Deal or no deal: what does Cameron want from the EU? This video explains ...Deal or no deal: what does Cameron want from the EU? This video explains ...
11.06am GMT11.06am GMT
11:0611:06
Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann confirmed that financial regulation remains a key sticking point.Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann confirmed that financial regulation remains a key sticking point.
The pro-EU thinktank Open Europe quoted him saying: “We want to reach an agreement with Britain but we cannot concede blockage of banking union or Eurozone integration.”The pro-EU thinktank Open Europe quoted him saying: “We want to reach an agreement with Britain but we cannot concede blockage of banking union or Eurozone integration.”
Faymann on #Brexit: We want to reach an agreement with Britain but we cannot concede blockage of banking union or Eurozone integration #EUCOFaymann on #Brexit: We want to reach an agreement with Britain but we cannot concede blockage of banking union or Eurozone integration #EUCO
Earlier French President François Hollande made clear that France continues to resist a deal on financial regulation which would deliver one rule for eurozone states and another for those which do not use the single currency.Earlier French President François Hollande made clear that France continues to resist a deal on financial regulation which would deliver one rule for eurozone states and another for those which do not use the single currency.
The French leader told reporters that he wanted “a financial regulation system which is valid in all parts of Europe, and that there should be no right of veto or prevention”.The French leader told reporters that he wanted “a financial regulation system which is valid in all parts of Europe, and that there should be no right of veto or prevention”.
Hollande said France wanted to ensure that Europe would be able to “fight against speculation and fight against financial crises in the same way and with the same organisations everywhere”.Hollande said France wanted to ensure that Europe would be able to “fight against speculation and fight against financial crises in the same way and with the same organisations everywhere”.
10.53am GMT
10:53
There were hopeful noises for Cameron from Estonia’s prime minister, Taavi Roivas.
He said he believed it was possible for a fair deal to be agreed on Friday.
“We all, of course, pursue our national interests but we should also bear in mind that should Britain leave we all get nothing,” Rovias said on his way into the talks
Referring to the British prime minister by his first name, Roivas added: “As Prime Minister of Estonia, I am a firm supporter of reaching an agreement and getting David a deal that he can recommend for the British people to vote for.”
10.46am GMT
10:46
No bacon and eggs on the table in talks between Merkel, Hollande and Tspiras. Just biscuits and grapes.
Kanzlerin #Merkel trifft zu Beginn des 2. Tages bei EU-Rat Präsident @fhollande und MinPräs @tsipras_eu. #EUCO pic.twitter.com/q4V672So0Z
10.30am GMT
10:30
Luxembourg’s prime minister confirmed that the timetable is slipping say he hopes a deal can be reached “by the end of the afternoon”.
Xavier Bettel, said: “The proposals on the table don’t satisfy all parties. We haven’t finished yet. I hope that by the end of the afternoon we will have a text that everyone can agree.”
So much for Cameron’s plans for a cabinet meeting this afternoon.
10.24am GMT
10:24
And here’s video of Cameron on his way into the talks.
10.12am GMT
10:12
Here’s video of that fighting talk from Hollande on the way into Friday’s talks.
Updated
at 10.31am GMT
10.11am GMT
10:11
France’s far right National Front is relishing the prospect of Brexit, writes Bruce Crumley in Paris.
Speaking on France Info radio this morning, Florian Philippot, National Front vice-president and Marine Le Pen soul mate, said:
“We’re watching what happens with Great Britain with interest and yearning. It’s a process we’ve proposed for a long time… I say to the British, ‘When you leave this European Union mad house, if you decide to leave it, keep the door open for us because we’ll be using it soon’.”
10.08am GMT
10:08
Nicholas Watt
It is the love-in between unlikely friends that might go some way to helping David Cameron in his EU referendum campaign, writes Nicholas Watt.
Charles Michel, the Belgian prime minister who is one of the EU leaders with the greatest suspicions about the UK’s renegotiation plan, is said to have been touched after Cameron presented him with a special present for his newly born baby daughter Jeanne.
EU leaders had chipped in for a collective present for Michel’s second child who was born on 21 January. But Cameron presented a special set in French of the Beatrix Potter tales, ensuring that in one corner of Belgium the Tale of Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddle-Duck and Mrs Tiggy-Winkle will live on, according to No 10 sources who confirmed a report in the Times.
There were signs on Thursday that Michel, a European federalist deeply committed to the EU’s commitment to forge an ever closer union among the peoples of Europe, may be willing to help the prime minister. Belgium took the lead, in concert with the French, to write into the agreement a legally binding declaration that the deal would be definitive and that Britain would not be able to renegotiate its membership terms after a second referendum. This is helpful to Cameron who wants to kill off the idea of a second referendum promoted by the Vote Leave campaign director Dominic Cummings.
10.03am GMT
10:03
Cameron: 'we're going to do some more work'
“There is still no deal” Cameron said on his way to Friday’s talks.
He reminded reporters that he was up until 5am in talks.
The prime minister added: “I will only do deal if we get what Britain needs, so I’m going to get back in there, we’re going to do some more work and I’ll do everything I can.”
9.58am GMT
09:58
Full English of dog's breakfast?
Negotiations have dragged on so long that what was supposed to be talks over an “English breakfast”, then became “English brunch” and have now become an “English lunch”, PA reports.
Initial plans for the two-day European Council summit in Brussels envisaged a round-table discussion on Thursday afternoon, when leaders could set out their reservations about the package, followed by late-night negotiations by officials to cross Ts and dot Is. The process would end with a triumphant restart early on Friday when the deal could be sealed in plenty of time for Mr Cameron to return to London for a special Cabinet meeting to endorse the agreement and launch the campaign for Britain to remain in the EU.
Officials in Brussels blithely referred to the final session as “the English breakfast”, summoning up visions of hungry leaders tucking into a hearty fry-up as they handed the PM his deal.
As rumours of dissent around the table began to emerge on Thursday, however, the schedule began to slip and word in the Council’s Justus Lipsius building was that the meeting was turning into an “English brunch”.
Caterers scrambled to dig out waffles, pastries, yoghurt and whatever else it is people eat for brunch, while reporters scratched their heads and wondered if “English brunch” was a thing now and why it was they’d never been invited to one, and whether it meant they’d get an extra couple of hours in bed after a long night of summiteering.
But just as the jams and spreads were being laid out this morning, European Council spokesman Preben Aamann tweeted a further delay: “Work ongoing on revised UKinEU settlement. Next round of bilaterals at 11h. ‘English lunch’ foreseen at 13h30.”
Work ongoing on revised #UKinEU settlement. Next round of bilaterals at 11h. "English lunch" foreseen at 13h30 #EUCO
9.45am GMT
09:45
Stephen Burgen
“The British don’t see themselves as European,” says Begoña Arce, El Periódico’s correspondent in London writes Stephen Burgen in Madrid.
She writes of the British:
When they refer to Europe the UK isn’t included. Europe is “the Continent”. They are “others”, partners with whom to form alliances and enemies against whom they have to defend themselves. Hitler was unable to invade Great Britain, a fact that is borne with pride in the collective conscience.”