This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-32840696

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Cameron to meet Merkel, Juncker and Hollande for EU talks Cameron 'confident' of getting better deal for UK in Europe
(about 1 hour later)
David Cameron will meet key players in Europe for face-to-face talks next week as he tries to build momentum behind his efforts to renegotiate the UK's relationship with the European Union. David Cameron has said he is confident he will be able to get a better deal for the UK in Europe but admitted that it "won't be easy" and will take time.
The prime minister will host European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker at Chequers on Monday. Speaking at a summit in Latvia, he said it was "in everyone's interests" for there to be a deal but did not expect to be greeted by a "wall of love".
He will then travel to Berlin and Paris for talks with Germany's Angela Merkel and France's Francois Hollande. Mr Cameron will hold face-to-face talks with Angela Merkel and Francois Hollande among others next week.
The PM is seeking a better deal before a referendum on EU membership by 2017. Other EU countries have said they will listen to what the UK has to say.
Mr Cameron met EU leaders for the first time since his election victory at a summit in Latvia on Friday. Speaking at a meeting of EU leaders, Mr Cameron said he believed it was in the interests of both the UK and its European partners for the UK to remain in the European Union but under different terms.
He said he was determined to press ahead with reforms to the EU that would give people a "proper choice" on whether to stay in the organisation or to leave. He said the British people were not happy with the status quo and wanted change on issues such as welfare, immigration and political integration, adding that his election victory had given him a mandate and the British people "were at his back".
As he begins to make his case for a different arrangement between the UK and the EU's 27 other members, Mr Cameron said he expected "lots of ups and downs" in the negotiations. 'Best choice'
While British officials said the process was at a very early stage, the meetings with Mrs Merkel, regarded as Germany's most powerful leader and Mr Juncker, the most senior official in Brussels, will be seen as key to setting the tone for future discussions. Mr Cameron said he had only begun to "scratch the surface" of the discussions but would travel to Berlin and Paris next week as well as hosting European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker at his country residence, Chequers, on Monday.
He said the British people needed a "the best possible choice" about the UK's future in Europe and did not rule out bringing forward a referendum from its scheduled date by the end of 2017.
As he met EU leaders for the first time since his election victory at a summit in Riga, Mr Cameron said he expected "lots of ups and downs" in the negotiations and would neither "negotiate in public or through the media".
Reminding journalists that many of their pre-election forecasts were wrong, he urged them to "wait for the result".
British officials said the process was at a very early stage, but the meetings with Mrs Merkel, regarded as Germany's most powerful leader and Mr Juncker, the most senior official in Brussels, will be seen as key to setting the tone for future discussions.
Speaking in Riga, where EU leaders are discussing relations with Ukraine and other former Soviet states, Mr Cameron said he was conscious of the challenge that lay ahead.Speaking in Riga, where EU leaders are discussing relations with Ukraine and other former Soviet states, Mr Cameron said he was conscious of the challenge that lay ahead.
"All I will say is that there will be ups and downs. You will hear one day that 'this is possible'; the next day something is impossible."All I will say is that there will be ups and downs. You will hear one day that 'this is possible'; the next day something is impossible.
"But one thing through all this will be constant and this is my determination to deliver for the British people a reform of the EU so they get a proper choice in that referendum we will hold before the end of 2017, that will be constant.""But one thing through all this will be constant and this is my determination to deliver for the British people a reform of the EU so they get a proper choice in that referendum we will hold before the end of 2017, that will be constant."
Context of changesContext of changes
Mr Cameron is committed to holding an in/out referendum on Britain's membership of the EU by the end of 2017, but there is speculation it could be held next year to avoid a clash with elections in France and Germany.Mr Cameron is committed to holding an in/out referendum on Britain's membership of the EU by the end of 2017, but there is speculation it could be held next year to avoid a clash with elections in France and Germany.
Legislation paving the way for the UK referendum is expected to be published next Thursday, the day after the Queen opens Parliament.Legislation paving the way for the UK referendum is expected to be published next Thursday, the day after the Queen opens Parliament.
BBC deputy political editor James Landale said Mr Cameron was using the summit, arranged to discuss the EU's relationship with Russia and its neighbours, to sound out other European leaders about what they might be willing to accept before the start of "intricate" negotiations in the coming months.BBC deputy political editor James Landale said Mr Cameron was using the summit, arranged to discuss the EU's relationship with Russia and its neighbours, to sound out other European leaders about what they might be willing to accept before the start of "intricate" negotiations in the coming months.
Other EU leaders, he added, were "scared witless" by the possibility of the UK leaving the EU and were willing to listen and consider a deal, but there were some things - such as changes to freedom of movement rules - which were "sacrosanct".Other EU leaders, he added, were "scared witless" by the possibility of the UK leaving the EU and were willing to listen and consider a deal, but there were some things - such as changes to freedom of movement rules - which were "sacrosanct".
A British official said Friday's talks would be "broad-brush" rather than focusing on specific demands.
"The focus of these discussions today is to set out the reason why he is doing this, the views of the British people about the EU, the fact that they are not happy with the status quo and what they need to change," they said.
Mr Cameron has not revealed the full details of what he is seeking from any changes, but he is expected to demand an opt-out from one its core principles of forging an "ever-closer union" between member states.Mr Cameron has not revealed the full details of what he is seeking from any changes, but he is expected to demand an opt-out from one its core principles of forging an "ever-closer union" between member states.
He will also try to get more powers to block or opt out of new EU laws, and for restrictions on welfare benefits for migrants until they have lived in the UK for four years.He will also try to get more powers to block or opt out of new EU laws, and for restrictions on welfare benefits for migrants until they have lived in the UK for four years.
In a speech on Thursday, the prime minister said welfare changes would be an "absolute requirement in the renegotiation".
EU referendum in focusEU referendum in focus
David Cameron is ready to start renegotiating the terms of Britain's EU membership ahead of a referendum. Here is some further reading on what it all means:David Cameron is ready to start renegotiating the terms of Britain's EU membership ahead of a referendum. Here is some further reading on what it all means:
The UK and the EU: Better off or in or out?The UK and the EU: Better off or in or out?
What Britain wants from EuropeWhat Britain wants from Europe
Q&A: The UK's planned EU referendumQ&A: The UK's planned EU referendum
Timeline: EU referendum debateTimeline: EU referendum debate
Why Germany is David Cameron's new best friendWhy Germany is David Cameron's new best friend
Mr Cameron has said he wants the UK to stay in a reformed EU but has so far refused to say whether he would start calling for Britain to leave if he does not get what he wants.
'Optimistic'
Finnish Prime Minister Alexander Stubb said he was "hopeful" a deal could be reached which would be satisfactory to the British people.
"Finland is very much in favour of the pro-reform agenda that David Cameron drives. We believe that there are issues that can be discussed with Britain," he said. "There is no point in putting up any barriers at this particular stage and we're all ears."
Ireland's Europe Minister Dara Murphy said he was "optimistic" the UK would remain within the EU.
"Much of what has been suggested and proposed to date by David Cameron would be to the advantage of all of the people of the European Union, particularly in the space of regulation," he said.
But Estonian prime minister Taavi Roivas warned he would oppose any attempt to roll back the free movement of labour in the EU.
"I wouldn't scroll back the basic freedoms but saying no to all ideas of change would be wrong as well."
This week, a number of UK business leaders started to highlight the potential implications of the referendum, with the president of the CBI said businesses should "speak out early" in favour of remaining in a reformed EU,This week, a number of UK business leaders started to highlight the potential implications of the referendum, with the president of the CBI said businesses should "speak out early" in favour of remaining in a reformed EU,
The Labour Party, SNP, Plaid Cymru and the Lib Dems are in favour of staying in the EU. UKIP, which got almost four million votes but only one MP in the election, want to leave.The Labour Party, SNP, Plaid Cymru and the Lib Dems are in favour of staying in the EU. UKIP, which got almost four million votes but only one MP in the election, want to leave.