BRUSSELS, Belgium – Prime Minister David Cameron on Friday, February 19, said he had still not reached a deal with EU counterparts to try and keep Britain in the bloc as a crunch Brexit summit went into a second day.
Talks Thursday ran overnight as Cameron pressed his demands for EU reforms, with several of his EU peers unhappy that he should get a special deal when they have grievances of their own.
Arriving at the EU headquarters building in Brussels, Cameron said: "I was here until five o'clock this morning working through this and we've made some progress but there is still no deal."
"As I have said, I would only do a deal if we get what Britain needs so we are going to get back in there."
Cameron has repeatedly warned that if he fails to get a deal, he will walk away from Brussels with all options open, including the possibility that Britain becomes the first country to leave the EU in its more than 60-year history.
He has four key demands – the right to curb migrant social welfare benefits, safeguards for non-euro countries against greater eurozone integration, an opt-out from ever "closer union" and measures to boost the EU's competitive standing.
Some member states, most notably Germany, agree with many of his reforms but others such as France and Belgium baulk at Britain having any sort of veto over those who want to press ahead with increased EU convergence.
EU president Donald Tusk warned in the early hours Friday that there was "a lot to do" to reach an accord. – Rappler.com