"No consensus" over UK's reform demands on migrants' welfare: EU's Tusk

There was "presently no consensus" over British Prime Minister David Cameron's demands on welfare curbs for migrants from other parts of the European Union (EU), Donald Tusk, the President of the European Council said on Monday.

Ahead of a EU summit next week, Tusk sent a letter to the leaders of member states to report the progress about EU negotiations with Britain on the issue of a UK "in or out" referendum.

In November Cameron set out the four areas where he is seeking reforms to address the concerns of the British people over UK membership of the EU.

The reform demands made up of four key objectives, including protecting the single market for Britain and others outside the eurozone; exempting Britain from "ever-closer union" and bolstering national parliaments; limiting EU migrants' benefits in the UK; and enhancing competitiveness in the EU.

Tusk said the reform agenda is "significant and far-reaching," and there is a "strong will" on all sides to find solutions "that respond to the British request while benefiting the European Union as a whole."

However, as a man leading EU negotiations with Britain, Tusk found that the fourth basket on social benefits and the free movement of persons is "the most delicate."

"While we see good prospects for agreeing on ways to fight abuses and possibly on some reforms related to the export of child benefits, there is presently no consensus on the request that people coming to Britain from the EU must live there and contribute for four years before they qualify for in-work benefits or social housing," he wrote.

Tusk said the issue would require a substantive political debate at December's meeting, where the leaders have to overcome the "substantial political differences."

"This is certainly an issue where we need to hear more from the British Prime Minister and an open debate among ourselves before proceeding further," he added.

Negotiations on the other three categories of reform seemed have proceeded smoothly. Tusk said that solutions were being worked on.

On the relations between the euro ins and outs, Tusk said "an agreement around a set of principles" to avoid any kind of discrimination towards non-eurozone countries could be found. Also, a mechanism could be set up for these countries to raise concerns, but "a veto right" over euro matters will be ruled out.

On competitiveness, Tusk said there is a very "strong determination" in the EU to promote this objective and to fully use the potential of the internal market in all its components.

Referring to the principle of "ever-closer union," Tusk said the concept allows for various paths of integration for different countries.

"Those that want to deepen integration can move ahead, while respecting the wish of those who do not want to deepen any further," he wrote.

Tusk said himself will act as "an honest broker" during the negotiations, urging all EU member states and the institutions to show readiness for compromise.

"Uncertainty about the future of the UK in the European Union is a destabilizing factor. That is why we must find a way to answer the British concerns as quickly as possible," he stressed. Endit