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EU 'good' at problem solving says UK commissioner EU 'good' at problem solving says UK commissioner
(about 5 hours later)
The European Union is "very effective" at solving problems, Britain's top official in Brussels has said, amid reports it is becoming more receptive to UK demands over its membership.The European Union is "very effective" at solving problems, Britain's top official in Brussels has said, amid reports it is becoming more receptive to UK demands over its membership.
Lord Hill said the EU valued the UK's contribution and wanted it to stay in, but admitted that the government had still to table its specific demands.Lord Hill said the EU valued the UK's contribution and wanted it to stay in, but admitted that the government had still to table its specific demands.
Ministers have also refused to be drawn on when a referendum will be held.Ministers have also refused to be drawn on when a referendum will be held.
David Cameron says it will take place by 2017 but could happen earlier. A committee of peers has warned against the government offering a "done deal".
Chancellor George Osborne held meetings with French counterparts on Monday, marking a new phase in the process of renegotiating the UK's membership. George Osborne held meetings with French counterparts on Monday, marking a new phase in the process of renegotiating the UK's membership, the precursor to a referendum which will take place by the end of 2017.
He spoke of a "win-win" agreement to ensure the UK and other countries outside the eurozone were treated fairly amid deeper economic and political integration in the single currency area. The chancellor spoke of a "win-win" agreement to ensure the UK and other countries outside the eurozone were treated fairly in the event of deeper economic and political integration in the single currency area.
Having set out the UK's broad objectives at a summit last month, the UK is now embarking on "technical discussions" about its plans although Lord Hill, the EU commissioner for the financial stability, financial services and capital markets union, said no specific proposals had been put on the table.Having set out the UK's broad objectives at a summit last month, the UK is now embarking on "technical discussions" about its plans although Lord Hill, the EU commissioner for the financial stability, financial services and capital markets union, said no specific proposals had been put on the table.
'Active member''Active member'
However, he said he was encouraged by the reception he had had so far.However, he said he was encouraged by the reception he had had so far.
"As far as the negotiations are concerned, I think we are still at an early stage in that process," he said. "The British government have not yet set out their clear and detailed list of their requests.""As far as the negotiations are concerned, I think we are still at an early stage in that process," he said. "The British government have not yet set out their clear and detailed list of their requests."
But he added: "I think there is a willingness to understand what the British people want in order to make Europe work better.But he added: "I think there is a willingness to understand what the British people want in order to make Europe work better.
"The thing I can say is from my experience in the Commission... there is a strong desire on the part of countries in the EU for Britain to remain an active member of the EU. People value the contribution that Britain makes in terms of the way we think about things.""The thing I can say is from my experience in the Commission... there is a strong desire on the part of countries in the EU for Britain to remain an active member of the EU. People value the contribution that Britain makes in terms of the way we think about things."
The prime minister has not set out in full detail what he wants but his key demands include:The prime minister has not set out in full detail what he wants but his key demands include:
To get what it wants the UK believes it will need to rewrite treaties agreed by all 28 EU members.To get what it wants the UK believes it will need to rewrite treaties agreed by all 28 EU members.
Read more on what Britain wantsRead more on what Britain wants
Lord Hill added: "The point about the way the EU works is that if the politics dictates one to go in a certain way, in this case trying to make sure Britain remains part of the EU, then it is a system that is very effective at coming up with practical solutions to problems and trying to make things work.Lord Hill added: "The point about the way the EU works is that if the politics dictates one to go in a certain way, in this case trying to make sure Britain remains part of the EU, then it is a system that is very effective at coming up with practical solutions to problems and trying to make things work.
"I think that is what will happen in the case of Britain's membership of the EU.""I think that is what will happen in the case of Britain's membership of the EU."
Speaking on Monday, French Economy Minister Emmanuel Macron said it was the "right moment" for structural reforms within the EU, including a "fair set of rules" to protect the interests of those outside the euro.Speaking on Monday, French Economy Minister Emmanuel Macron said it was the "right moment" for structural reforms within the EU, including a "fair set of rules" to protect the interests of those outside the euro.
But many Conservative Eurosceptics doubt whether the EU's 27 other members will agree to a fundamental recasting of the UK's membership and have expressed concern that any changes will not be written into new treaties until after the referendum.But many Conservative Eurosceptics doubt whether the EU's 27 other members will agree to a fundamental recasting of the UK's membership and have expressed concern that any changes will not be written into new treaties until after the referendum.
'Recipe for confusion'
In a new video, UKIP is appealing to existing and prospective supporters to help secure a No vote in the referendum, which would take the UK out of the EU, by joining the party or giving it money.In a new video, UKIP is appealing to existing and prospective supporters to help secure a No vote in the referendum, which would take the UK out of the EU, by joining the party or giving it money.
"UKIP campaigned for a referendum. UKIP secured a referendum. Help us finish the job and win the referendum," its leader Nigel Farage said."UKIP campaigned for a referendum. UKIP secured a referendum. Help us finish the job and win the referendum," its leader Nigel Farage said.
And UKIP MEP Patrick O'Flynn said it was simply not possible to address concerns about inward migration to the UK while remaining a member of the EU, tweeting that it was a "circle that cannot be squared". Meanwhile, a committee of peers has urged ministers to explain in advance what their objectives are so they can be judged on their success.
In its report, the cross-party Lords EU committee said it appreciated ministers wanted to maximise their "room for manoeuvre" but the public had to know what the government was trying to achieve so they could make an informed decision.
"What we have discovered is that the Whitehall process is so unclear as to be a recipe for confusion," said Lord Boswell, the former Conservative minister who chairs the committee.
"We don't know who is in charge within government, who they will be talking to at EU level or what the timetable for agreement is.
"We're also concerned about the lack of transparency. It's vital that Parliament and the public are kept informed, and are not simply presented with a done deal at the end of the process."