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EU leaders at summit to debate deal for Britain

(Agencies) Updated: 2016-02-19 19:58

EU leaders at summit to debate deal for Britain

British Prime Minister David Cameron arrives at the EU council headquarters for the second day of a European Union leaders summit addressing the talks about the so-called Brexit and the migrants crisis in Brussels, Belgium, February 19, 2016.[Photo/Agencies]


BRUSSELS - Prime Minister David Cameron faced a second day of tough talks with European Union partners on Friday after arguing for much of the night over concessions to help keep Britain in the bloc.

The following are comments by EU leaders and senior EU officials ahead of Friday's summit resumption:

BRITISH PRIME MINISTER DAVID CAMERON

"I was here till 5 o'clock this morning working through this and we've made some progress but there's still no deal. And as I've said I'll only do a deal if we get what Britain needs. So we are going to get back in there, and we are going to do some more work and I'll do everything I can."

AUSTRIAN CHANCELLOR WERNER FAYMANN

"The question is whether the United Kingdom can block the banking union or other deepening of the euro zone or is it really an indication that in a community we can work together with different currencies without disadvantaging the other. There are two sides to this. The talks are going on... hopefully not just talks but successful talks. I hope that something comes out."

ESTONIAN PRIME MINISTERS TAAVI ROIVAS

"I do believe that it is possible to reach a fair deal today. I understood that we all of course pursue our national interests but we should also bear in mind that should Britain leave we all get nothing. So as prime minister of Estonia I'm a firm supporter of reaching an agreement and getting David the deal that he actually can recommend for the British people to vote for."

LUXEMBOURG PRIME MINISTER XAVIER BETTEL

"The proposals on the table at the moment don't satisfy all the parties. We haven't finished yet. I hope that by the end of the afternoon we will have a text that everyone can live with."

FRENCH PRESIDENT FRANCOIS HOLLANDE

"We will still work this morning as there were some proposals overnight which have been changed between the ones and the others. Notably, as regards France, the desire to have a financial regulation which is applicable to all centres in Europe and that there won't be a right to veto or block the fight against speculation and financial crisis everywhere and with the same agencies. That's where we are now.

"We are waiting for Britain's response. We have made our proposals."

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