BRUSSELS (AA) – The President of the European Council said Tuesday he would table “concrete proposals” over Britain’s proposed EU reforms at a meeting of national leaders next month.
Donald Tusk said it was possible to reach a deal with the U.K. ahead of an in-out vote planned before the end of 2017 on Britain remaining in the 28-nation bloc.
“Time is of essence here,” he said in a statement. “And this is why I will work hard to strike a deal in February. It will not be easy but it is still possible.”
He added: “I will do everything in my power to find a satisfactory solution, also for the British side.”
The former Polish premier also tweeted: “I will table concrete proposal on #UKinEU in run-up to February #EUCO. I will work hard for deal in February, not easy but possible.”
British Prime Minister David Cameron has promised a referendum on the U.K.’s continued membership by the end of 2017 and is trying to renegotiate four key areas of EU policy before the vote.
The areas cover economic governance, business regulation, national sovereignty and curbs on migration.
Tusk said the European Council of member state leaders had “demonstrated willingness to look for compromises on all 4 baskets but no compromise on fundamental values”.
