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Britain's EU reform demands should not hamper euro zone integration: Hollande

Xinhua, January 21, 2016 Adjust font size:

French President Francois Hollande on Thursday said Britain's demands for European Union(EU) reforms were not "insurmountable", but they should not hamper further integration in the single-currency bloc of euro zone.

"I will be particularly vigilant that the euro zone can pursue its integration, for me that is the essential point," he said in a new year's greetings message to France's diplomatic corps.

"If Britain wants to go its own way within the European Union we can allow it, but that cannot prevent the countries that want to go further in integration," he added.

The Socialist leader said a deal must respect the EU's founding principles, including on the free circulation of people within the bloc.

"The best is to find an accord at the summit on February 18 and 19," he said.

Before EU membership in-out referendum by the end of 2017, British Prime Minister David Cameron is seeking support for EU reforms, which include mainly tougher rules to prevent migrants claiming benefits and exemption for Britain from the EU drive for closer union. Enditem