Cameron: British PM to set out European Union demands in November

Mr Cameron arrived in Brussels for talks with Mr Juncker over lunch and a separate meeting with Mr Schulz before joining other EU leaders for a one-day summit of the European Council.

“We can fix those things that need to be fixed and I’m confident this process is well under way and making good progress”.

The apparent remark was hailed by Ukip leader Nigel Farage, who said he would buy Mr Juncker a bottle of champagne, while the Vote Leave campaign for an Out vote in the referendum due by the end of 2017 said it was “encouraged” by his stance.

The former Luxembourg Prime Minister also said he was “150% in favour of having Britain as a constructive member of the EU”.

Britain has also demanded greater competition and independence from what it sees as restrictive European Union regulations, and wishes to protect the City of London with guarantees that euro members can not dictate to those, like Britain, which have retained their own currencies.

Mr Cameron hopes soon to move those discussions to the political level and with a wider number of players ahead of a substantial discussions at the European Union summit in December, a British official said.

But Juncker said Wednesday there had not been “huge progress” so far. A referendum pledge on so-called Brexit was a central pillar of his Conservative Party victory in May’s general election, partly as a means to keep a lid on support for the UK Independence Party which aims to get Britain out of the European Union, even after a renegotiation.

In Brussels, Minister for European Affairs Dara Murphy said it was important that Britain produce written proposals, adding that Ireland would be particularly supportive of British requests in the sphere of competitiveness and economic governance.

The United Kingdom government argues that any comprehensive approach must put emphasis on the causes of the crisis and not just the symptoms and that the policies of Germany and others only act as a pull factor.

More than 500,000 people fleeing war or poverty have entered Europe this year, a lot of them via Greece and Italy, overwhelming border authorities and reception facilities. “But to tango it takes two”, Juncker said. “So we have to dance, and our British friends have to dance”.

Cameron held talks on the renegotiation over dinner at his country retreat last week with Merkel, at which the German chancellor “reiterated that she wanted Britain to remain in the European Union”, Cameron’s office said in a statement.

On the day Cameron told impatient fellow leaders in Brussels that he would end their wait and deliver detailed demands early next month, it was a reminder of tough talking ahead that Cameron’s says will be “bloody hard work”.

“We’re not setting a specific timetable for what when”, said Downing Street.