UK in final talks to change relationship with EU before summit

PanARMENIAN.Net - British officials have entered the final phase of negotiations to change the UK's relationship with the EU, the day before the European summit begins, according to BBC News.

David Cameron hopes to agree a deal at the Brussels summit, enabling a referendum on the UK's EU membership to take place as early as June.

European parliament president Martin Schulz has warned that MEPs' backing for any deal cannot be guaranteed. On Tuesday, February 16 Downing Street said the deal had the backing of MEPs. Number 10 said leaders of the three largest groups in the European parliament had "made clear their support" for the UK's proposed EU deal.

But Cameron's planned curbs to benefits for EU migrants appear to be a sticking point in the talks with the EU, with some eastern European countries reported to be opposed.

According to BBC, most diplomats were confident a deal could be agreed this week and that we could know on Friday when a referendum will be held.

Schulz, who described his meeting with Cameron on Tuesday as "very constructive", said that once a deal was agreed by EU leaders, MEPs would start the legislative process as soon as possible.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said he expected proposed benefit changes to be at the heart of debate this week.

Czech Europe minister Tomas Prouza told the BBC he expected benefit curbs would apply only to new applicants, and not affect the existing 34,000 migrants in the UK who were recipients.

Downing Street has so far refused to say whether the changes extend to existing claimants or not.