Cameron appeals to Germany for EU reform support

LONDON

Britain’s premier has made a fresh appeal to Germany for support in his attempts to reform the European Union.

David Cameron, speaking during a visit to Germany on Thursday, said that discussions with EU partners – part of his promise to renegotiate Britain’s membership terms – were “tough”, but were going well.

Cameron also sought to play down fears expressed by some European leaders that he wanted to abolish the right to freedom of movement enjoyed by all citizens across the 28-country bloc.

“Britain supports the concept of free movement,” he told broadcasters following a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Bavaria on Thursday.

“Many British citizens go and live and work elsewhere in Europe, but we want to make sure welfare systems – and in particular, our welfare system – is not an unnatural draw to Britain, because we do feel the pressure of excessive migration that we've had in recent years.

“We believe that all these issues can be dealt with. The discussions are going well. They're hard, they're tough. These are difficult issues but I'm confident that with good will – and there is good will I think on all sides – we can bring these negotiations to a conclusion and then hold the referendum that we promised in our election manifesto and we have now legislated for in parliament.”

An in-out referendum is expected to be held in Britain later this year after Cameron concludes his renegotiation, a manifesto promise he made before his election victory last year.

Cameron has previously said he wants new rules for the euro to ensure member states outside the single currency do not suffer discrimination, as well as reform in three other areas: more say for national parliaments in EU affairs; increased European competitiveness in the world; and greater migration controls.