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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 GMT | 11.53am GMT |
11:53 | 11:53 |
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 solutions | Tusk meeting Visegrad chair Czech leader Sobotka -there will be a series of bilaterals before a new plenary. Tusk/ Juncker testing solutions |
11.41am GMT | 11.41am GMT |
11:41 | 11:41 |
Ian Traynor | Ian 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 GMT | 11.38am GMT |
11:38 | 11:38 |
Alberto Nardelli | 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. | 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 GMT | 11.30am GMT |
11:30 | 11:30 |
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/MUDEFWGcyU | Good to host @JunckerEU & @matteorenzi at EP premises in #EUCO. Very constructive meeting pic.twitter.com/MUDEFWGcyU |
Updated | Updated |
at 11.34am GMT | at 11.34am GMT |
11.22am GMT | 11.22am GMT |
11:22 | 11:22 |
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 GMT | 11.15am GMT |
11:15 | 11:15 |
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 #EUCO | In 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 #EUCO | Donald Tusk has apparently said he is ready to stay until Sunday, although EU sources still hopeful of a teatime deal #EUCO |
11.09am GMT | 11.09am GMT |
11:09 | 11:09 |
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 GMT | 11.06am GMT |
11:06 | 11:06 |
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 #EUCO | Faymann 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”. |