DAVID Cameron said he was “battling for Britain” as he arrived in Brussels for crunch talks on his European Union reforms.
The discussions had been billed as a “make-or-break” for the UK’s renegotiation agenda, with the Prime Minister insisting he would not accept a deal that did not meet his demands.
Meanwhile, Cameron’s demands for reform were described as a “theatrical sideshow” by Jeremy Corbyn, who said Labour would campaign to retain ties with Brussels whatever the outcome of the process. The Labour leader, add- ressing a meeting of the Party of European Socialists in Brussels, said the Prime Minister’s renegotiation agenda was a “missed opportunity” to make the EU better for workers.
If the meeting of EU leaders reaches a deal, it could pave the way for a referendum on the UK’s membership as early as June, but Cameron said he was not in a rush to secure an agreement at any cost.
“We have some important work to do today and tomorrow and it’s going to be hard,” he said. “I will be battling for Britain; if we can get a good deal, I will take that deal but I will not take a deal that does not meet what we need. I think it is much more important to get this right than to do anything in a rush. But with goodwill, with hard work, we can get a better deal for Britain.”
In an indication of the high-stakes nature of the meeting, Donald Tusk, the European Council President, said as he arrived: “This is a make-or-break summit, I have no doubt.”
His comments came after a senior Brussels official insisted he was “confident” a deal will be reached on Cameron’s demands for change. European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker said he was “convinced” the UK would remain a “constructive and active” member of the 28-nation bloc.
Key elements of Cameron’s demands for change in Britain’s relations with the EU are still in dispute and will be thrashed out at the meeting. Juncker said: “I’m quite confident that we will have a deal during this European Council.”
However, he acknowledged there were a “certain number” of issues in the reform proposals that were yet to be resolved.
Arriving at the summit, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said there were “still some things to resolve” in the reform package, but added: “I am going into the debate with the outlook that we would all like to do everything we can so that Britain can remain a part of the European Union. “That is important in Germany’s view, of course. But it is a decision for the people of Britain.”
French President Francois Hollande, who met Merkel before the formal talks got under way, said he was “ready to look at comp- romises”, but that any agreement must be “within the framework of the fundamental principles of the EU”.
“A deal is possible because it is necessary,” said Hollande. “For Great Britain to remain in the EU, that is my wish. But at the same time, the Union must be able to advance.”
Hungarian PM Viktor Orban said: “I think we will have good negotiations and I think we have a good chance of making an agreement. I am rather optimistic.”
And Estonian PM Taavi Roivas added: “We are here today to agree on a fair deal – a fair deal for both the UK and the EU so David Cameron can recommend the British people vote yes at the referendum. I am convinced this kind of deal is achievable and we will work hard to achieve it.”
Lithuania’s President Dalia Grybauskaite also said she expected a deal, and told reporters: “I think everybody will have their own drama and then we will agree.”
Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny said as he arrived: “There will be some bilateral contacts with countries that still have some difficulties about the ins and outs of the ‘ever closer union’, about the question of welfare. We expect that to be finalised tomorrow.
“We are very supportive of this. We will back up the claim that Britain should remain a central member of the European Union and I hope that it can be concluded tomorrow so that the Prime Minister can make his timing of a referendum known to the British people.”
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