Roundup: EU leaders pour cold water on Britain's reform demand before summit

The European leaders poured cold water on British Prime Minister David Cameron's demands on reforms for the 28-country European Union (EU), minutes ahead of a summit held here on Thursday.

French President Francois Hollande said it was not "acceptable" to review the foundations of European integration, as London sought to curb welfare benefits of European immigrants during their first four years in Britain, one of the reform demands Cameron set last month.

European Council President Donald Tusk has reiterated that there was no consensus over British demands and urged compromise from British side to reach a real deal.

"The consultations I have led with all member states show goodwill of all the parties involved but it doesn't change the fact that some parts of the British proposal seem unacceptable," Tusk told reporters upon his arrival.

The top EU official called for efforts from London. "If Prime Minister Cameron persuades leaders tonight that we can work together to find solutions regarding all four baskets then we will have a real chance to strike a deal in February," Tusk said.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has made it clear that she will not give in to Cameron's demands for a ban on in-work benefits for EU migrants. Germany wants Britain to stay in the EU, but the bloc's basic freedoms, non-discrimination, freedom of movement, can not be restricted, she told journalists on her arrival.

A day earlier, the Chancellor also told German parliamentarians that "We don't want to, and we won't, call into question the core principles of European integration."

"Many of the countries have already stated their view that they do not want discrimination against citizens from that point of view," said Enda Kenny, Irish prime minister.

"Prime Minister Cameron has said there are a number of ways that you can arrive at the conclusion. I expect the political details of that will be the subject of some discussion this evening," he said.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said three of Cameron's demands "supportable, easy for us," but the fourth demand -- referring cutting EU migrant benefits -- was "more complicated."

Earlier this day, President of European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker told a press conference that EU wants a fair deal with Britain but the deal "has to be a fair deal for the other 27 too."

"I think we need a compromise between Cameron's proposals and 27 other member states," said European Parliament President Martin Schulz upon his arrival at the summit.

Cameron, on his part, said he will battle for Britain Thursday night and wants to see "real progress" in all British demands.

"Tonight here in Brussels we are going to have a conversation dedicated to Britain's renegotiation of its position in Europe and I want to see real progress in all of the four areas that I have mentioned," Cameron said upon his arrival.

"We are not pushing for a deal tonight but we are pushing for real momentum so that we can get this deal done. So I will be battling for Britain right through the night and I think we'll be getting a good deal," he said.

In November, Cameron set out the four areas where he is seeking reforms to address the concerns of the British people over British 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; enhancing competitiveness in the EU and limiting EU migrants' benefits in Britain. Endit