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David Cameron and Angela Merkel set for UK talks David Cameron and Angela Merkel set for UK talks
(about 9 hours later)
The economy and EU reforms are expected to be the focus of talks between David Cameron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Downing Street later.The economy and EU reforms are expected to be the focus of talks between David Cameron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Downing Street later.
Security issues, including counter-terrorism and the response to the Ebola epidemic, are likely to be discussed as part of Germany's presidency of the G7.Security issues, including counter-terrorism and the response to the Ebola epidemic, are likely to be discussed as part of Germany's presidency of the G7.
No 10 said the prime minister's agenda for future changes to the European Union was also likely to be raised.No 10 said the prime minister's agenda for future changes to the European Union was also likely to be raised.
Labour has complained that it was not informed in advance of the visit.Labour has complained that it was not informed in advance of the visit.
The visit, one of a number Mrs Merkel is making to world leaders as part of Germany's year-long presidency of the G7 group of nations, is likely to be her last to the UK before May's general election.The visit, one of a number Mrs Merkel is making to world leaders as part of Germany's year-long presidency of the G7 group of nations, is likely to be her last to the UK before May's general election.
If he remains in power after the election, Mr Cameron has pledged to re-negotiate the UK's membership of the 28-member bloc and hold a referendum by 2017 on the UK's future participation in the EU.If he remains in power after the election, Mr Cameron has pledged to re-negotiate the UK's membership of the 28-member bloc and hold a referendum by 2017 on the UK's future participation in the EU.
The Conservatives have called for a far-reaching shake-up of welfare rules across the EU, including a four-year wait before migrants can receive certain benefits when they seek work in other countries. The Conservatives have called for a far-reaching shake-up of welfare and employment rules across the EU, including requiring migrants to have a job offer before coming to the UK, making them wait four years before they can receive certain benefits and ending the payment of child benefit to dependents of EU migrants overseas.
'Avoiding misunderstanding'
Mr Cameron has said the proposals will, in some cases, require changes to existing treaties and therefore require the support of all 28 members - most of whom have said they are fundamentally opposed to any curbs which will infringe the principle of the freedom of movement across the EU.Mr Cameron has said the proposals will, in some cases, require changes to existing treaties and therefore require the support of all 28 members - most of whom have said they are fundamentally opposed to any curbs which will infringe the principle of the freedom of movement across the EU.
'Publicly supportive'
Downing Street said the pair's talks would focus on Germany's agenda for its G7 presidency, although Mr Cameron's proposals to reshape the European Union and its relationship with its member states could also be discussed.Downing Street said the pair's talks would focus on Germany's agenda for its G7 presidency, although Mr Cameron's proposals to reshape the European Union and its relationship with its member states could also be discussed.
"I believe that she (Angela Merkel) is visiting a number of G7 capitals as part of that process and I would expect their discussions to principally cover that agenda," a No 10 spokesman said. The BBC's assistant political editor Norman Smith said both sides were playing down the prospect of any progress on Mr Cameron's specific re-negotiation demands on Wednesday.
"The global economy is at the heart of it, there are also some other issues for example there is a particular German interest in continuing the work on antimicrobial resistance." Senior Conservative backbencher David Davis said it was unrealistic to expect Mrs Merkel to make any concessions during the talks but she needed to realise that, without them, there was a real prospect of the UK leaving the EU.
The spokesman added: "I'm sure EU reform as an issue will also be discussed." "We have got to get across that there should not be any mutual misunderstanding," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. "This is not sabre rattling. This is for real."
Labour has complained that the Foreign Office did not inform it of Mrs Merkel's visit, although the party stressed that leader Ed Miliband had discussed European issues and Labour's EU agenda with the German leader when she last visited the UK in February 2014. Analysis by political correspondent Ben Wright
It's a question few voters fret about but it looms over today's talks between David Cameron and Angela Merkel.
The prime minister has said many times he wants Britain to have a renegotiated relationship with the EU embedded in a new Treaty. That deal would then be put to British voters in a referendum before the end of 2017 - if the Conservatives win the coming general election.
But while Germany backs David Cameron on several areas of EU reform - such as limiting the benefits migrants can claim and completing the single market - Berlin does not want a major rewrite of existing treaties now.
It would mean referendums in countries like France and Ireland which may be very hard to win at a time when public confidence in the EU project is fragile.
Some of Mr Cameron's most Eurosceptic backbenchers say a serious, meaningful renegotiation can only be achieved through a new Treaty. Others, like those in the Fresh Start group of Tory MPs, have suggested a reform package they say can be achieved within the existing Treaties.
Berlin is rather miffed David Cameron is already talking about the need for a new Treaty before his proposal has been put on the negotiating table. Either way, the prime minister's plans hinge on having the support of Europe's most powerful leader - which is why his talks with Chancellor Merkel matter.
David McAllister, a member of Mrs Merkel's governing CDU party, said Mr Cameron and Mrs Merkel shared the same views on a wide range of issues central to the EU's future, including growth, competitiveness, financial stability and free trade.
"There is a lot of common ground between Germany and Britain when it comes to the EU and I think we will find a reasonable and decent solution for the British proposals but let's see what actually happens in 2015," he told Today.
Labour has complained the Foreign Office did not inform it of Mrs Merkel's visit, although the party stressed leader Ed Miliband had discussed European issues and Labour's EU agenda with the German leader when she last visited the UK in February 2014.
"The Foreign Office usually contacts the Leader of the Opposition's office in advance of visits from heads of government and state. Unfortunately on this occasion they failed to do so," a Labour spokesman said."The Foreign Office usually contacts the Leader of the Opposition's office in advance of visits from heads of government and state. Unfortunately on this occasion they failed to do so," a Labour spokesman said.
It is understood that Mrs Merkel did not ask to meet Mr Miliband during her visit to the UK.It is understood that Mrs Merkel did not ask to meet Mr Miliband during her visit to the UK.
Labour said Mr Cameron was spending more time "negotiating" with his backbenchers over Europe than other EU leaders and there was an "unbridgeable gap" between what Tory MPs wanted and what Germany and other EU nations would accept. Labour, which supports fresh curbs on benefits for migrants but does not support a referendum unless additional powers are handed to Brussels, said there was an "unbridgeable gap" between what Tory MPs wanted and what Germany would accept.
"Chancellor Merkel is publicly supportive of Britain's place in Europe, but on her visit to London she will no doubt reiterate to David Cameron that Germany is not willing to bail him out politically at any cost," shadow minister Pat McFadden said."Chancellor Merkel is publicly supportive of Britain's place in Europe, but on her visit to London she will no doubt reiterate to David Cameron that Germany is not willing to bail him out politically at any cost," shadow minister Pat McFadden said.
During her visit to London, Mrs Merkel is also due to visit an exhibition on the history of Germany at the British Museum and will be accompanied by the prime minister.During her visit to London, Mrs Merkel is also due to visit an exhibition on the history of Germany at the British Museum and will be accompanied by the prime minister.