(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Prime Minister David Cameron yesterday warned of a lack of progress during talks in Brussels on a deal to curb migrant benefits, upping the ante in the battle to keep Britain in the EU.
Cameron held a crucial meeting with European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker to discuss a "migration brake" that would meet his key demand - a four-year limit before EU workers in Britain can claim welfare payments.
The negotiations to prevent a so-called "Brexit" from the 28-nation EU come amid a series of crises for the bloc including the biggest influx of migrants and refugees to Europe since World War II.
But Cameron, well known for his brinkmanship, said it would take more work to reach a deal at a crucial summit on February 18, before a referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union, probably in June.
"We have made some progress today; it's not enough, it's going to be hard work" he told Sky News television after his talks with Juncker. "There is now a proposal on the table, it is not good enough, it needs more work."
Asked about the chances of a deal when he meets his EU counterparts next month, Cameron added: "I can't be certain we'll get there in February but I will work as hard as I can to deliver a good deal for the British people."
European Parliament head Martin Schulz, who also met briefly with Cameron, said he was "optimistic there will be a deal in February" but warned that the "devil is in the detail".
The pressure is now on ahead of a dinner that Cameron will host for European Council President Donald Tusk in London tomorrow at which they will further try to hammer out details.
Tusk is expected to table his proposals for a possible British deal on Monday, European sources said.
In a sign of the urgency of yesterday's talks, Cameron cancelled a visit to Denmark and Sweden to hold yesterday's working lunch with Juncker, the head of the EU's powerful executive, whose appointment Cameron opposed in 2014.
Many EU nations, especially those in central Europe which have many nationals working in Britain, say a benefits limit would be discriminatory and harm the bloc's core principle of freedom of movement.
Polish Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski was firm in his stance against any change to the welfare benefits currently enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of Polish workers in Britain.
"I want to stress that Polish authorities won't agree to the infringement of one of the EU's fundamental rights, namely its citizens' right to freedom of movement within the EU," Waszczykowski told parliament.
"We won't accept solutions that would result in discrimination against our countrymen in any EU member state."
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