British Prime Minister David Cameron was yesterday to hold talks with the head of the European Parliament on a deal to avoid Britain crashing out of the EU, ahead of a crunch summit this week.
Cameron was to meet Martin Schulz and leaders of the two main political groups in the assembly, hoping to find a sympathetic ear over reforms he is demanding to avoid a so-called “Brexit” from the 28-member bloc.
European Council President Donald Tusk on Monday said the EU was at a “critical moment” in its history, warning during a visit to Romania that “the risk of break up is real, because this process is indeed very fragile.”
Photo: Reuters
Britain has been pushing for a change to EU rules, including limiting welfare benefits for migrants and to protect nations that do not use the euro, ahead of an “in-out” referendum expected in June.
Downing Street indicated a deal on the reforms is expected at a summit tomorrow and on Friday, after Cameron held last-minute talks with French President Francois Hollande.
They “agreed that we are making good progress on the UK renegotiation and that the draft text from the European Council provides a firm basis to reach agreement at this week’s summit,” Cameron’s spokesman said after the talks in Paris on Monday.
The upbeat assessment came after a French official warned earlier in the day that, while there is “political willingness” to clinch an agreement, “more work is needed, particularly on economic governance.”
The EU is already grappling with the biggest migration crisis in 70 years and signs the sluggish eurozone economy could once again be stalling.
Debate over Britain’s future in the bloc has also struck a political nerve, with heavyweight France reportedly concerned about protections London is demanding for members that do not use the single currency.
Cameron had been expected to attend a gathering of presidents from each of the European Parliament’s groupings in Brussels yesterday, but instead is to only hold bilateral meetings.
The anti-EU UK Independence Party (UKIP) described Cameron as a “chicken” after he pulled out of a meeting that would have included UKIP Chairman Nigel Farage.
Tusk is also to meet with Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka and Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras in Prague and Athens respectively, as part of his own whirlwind diplomatic push ahead of the summit.
Whatever deal Cameron strikes is unlikely to satisfy all factions in Britain, including some within his own Conservative Party.
Facing pressure from ministers who want to reject the deal and declare their support for leaving the EU, Cameron could announce the date of the referendum on Friday if a deal is agreed, British newspaper the Daily Telegraph reported.
A eurosceptic rally is due to be held in London on Friday evening.
Even if the bloc’s leaders agree the changes Cameron wants, the European Parliament must still approve them.
British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond on Sunday said the EU would “lurch very much in the wrong direction” if Britain leaves, adding that negotiations at this week’s summit “would go to the wire.”
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