Brussels - British Prime Minister David Cameron found his reform agenda sidelined at a tense EU summit Thursday as leaders warned he faces tough negotiations ahead of a referendum on whether to leave the bloc.
As he walked into the Brussels summit dominated by Greece and migration, Cameron said it marked a "significant milestone" in Britain's bid to renegotiate ties with the European Union before a referendum due by the end of 2017.
European leaders discussed his proposals for just a few minutes at dinner between fraught discussions on migration before agreeing to move to the next stage in the process.
"It's been a long night and we've discussed some very important subjects, but above all I'm delighted that the process of British reform and renegotiation and the referendum that we're going to hold, that process is now properly underway," Cameron said afterwards.
"People always say to me that these things aren't possible, that you'll never get them done. Well once again we've proved we will get them done. We've started that process and it's underway."
This involves detailed technical talks after the broad discussions which Cameron has so far had on the issue with his fellow 27 EU leaders.
It is thought the issue will get only a short mention in Friday's final communique.
EU leaders are focused on trying to keep Greece in the eurozone and halting an influx of migrants from Middle East and African trouble spots, meaning substantive talks on Britain's desired reforms will have to wait.
Nevertheless, EU President Donald Tusk warned that only changes which were "safe" for Europe would be considered.
"The British prime minister set out his plans for an in/out referendum, so the talks on UK renegotiation will now get underway. It was the first step in a longer process," the former Polish premier said.
"One thing should be clear from the very beginning: the fundamental values of the European Union are not for sale and so are non-negotiable. We should consider British concerns, but only in a way which will be safe for all Europe. We will come back to this in December."
AFP
