European Union leaders agree to ‘look for compromise’ on British demands: Tusk

Tusk warned that some of Cameron’s demands “seem unacceptable” but hoped for a solution that would give a “real chance” of a deal at the next summit in February to prevent a “Brexit” from the EU.

“A pathway to a deal” on new terms for Britain’s membership within the EU has been found by European leaders, Prime Minister David Cameron has said.

“There is momentum – there was enormous support in the room for finding ways of keeping the U.K.in the EU”, Cameron told reporters.

“Then it will be for the British people to decide whether we will remain or leave”, he said.

“Countries need flexibility so they can make changes to their welfare systems to better manage migration”.

The PM has promised a referendum on European Union membership by the end of 2017, although there have been indications the vote could be held in 2016. The commission said they believe there are solutions.

But no alternative to the plan was discussed by Britain or any other nation.

Sovereignty: Similarly, a perceived loss of sovereignty to Brussels has always been a Conservative bugbear and Cameron wants Britain to be able to opt out of any closer political union in the future.

Tusk said Cameron had set out his position, especially on benefits and free movement, and that leaders had voiced concern but were willing to look for compromises. “I am much more optimistic than before today’s meeting”.

Fallon acknowledged that achieving the binding and irreversible changes would not be “easy for our partners” but said they would have to be included eventually in a treaty.

Cameron’s critics at home were unimpressed.

Although a large number may have left the country, the Government was asked under Freedom of Information to say how many of those national insurance numbers are “active”. “I suspect he will probably get a few minor concessions”.

“This is a major concern of the British people that is undermining support for the European Union”.

He set out his case in a 40-minute presentation in Brussels on Thursday night, referring to the “unprecedented” levels of immigration Britain had experienced and the effect this was having on public services.

Since Cameron published his list of demands at the start of November, EU governments have warned him that the welfare payments plan is against the spirit of European unity because it discriminates against some workers.

European Council President Donald Tusk had already dismissed Mr Cameron’s demands on migrant benefits as “unacceptable”.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has assured her British counterpart David Cameron he would have a friend in Germany in his quest to renegotiate fundamental parts of European Union legislation – as long as his proposals did not touch on existing core values of the bloc.

“We have made good progress”. “The Commission is ready to look for other options than the single one proposed by the British prime minister”.

But his officials are somewhat relieved that they have got this far – confident that there is a path towards a deal, rather than a road to nowhere.

“The only way to take back control is to Vote Leave”. It was published Thursday, one day after two telephone polls gave the opposite result.

The talks over the summit dinner were, at times, emotional with some leaders expressing frustration at Mr Cameron’s stance but there was a growing sense that compromise could be reached across a range of issues – including migration.