Cameron touched upon the issues of Europe's economic competitiveness, sovereignty issue as well as the twin issues of migration and welfare.
British Prime Minister David Cameron today reiterated his determination to secure the future of the UK in a reformed European Union.
He stressed that such a move will be "the best outcome for Britain and the best outcome for Europe". Speaking at a session at the WEF meet, Cameron said he hopes to secure agreement as soon as February even as he emphasised that "if there isn't the right deal, I'm not in a hurry".
"I can hold my referendum at any time up to the end of 2017. It's much more important to get this right than to rush it," he said. In last year's elections, a key issue in Cameron's manifesto was a promise to hold referendum on whether Britain should leave the EU.
Cameron touched upon the issues of Europe's economic competitiveness, sovereignty issue as well as the twin issues of migration and welfare. The UK is one of the most successful multi-racial, multi-faith democracies but the pressures from migration have become too great and that is a major concern for British people, the Prime Minister said.
He also mentioned about the strain migration putting on public services and welfare budget. "Britain has never been happy with the idea that we're part of an ever-closer political union we're a proud and independent country," he noted.
According to him the UK is not a "reluctant European". About Europe's economic competitiveness, Cameron said that although he finds the single market of 500 million people "an absolutely thrilling prospect" but the EU is lagging behind the US in technology and productivity.
"I want to hardwire competitiveness into the European Union," he added. Calling for fair rules for non-EU countries, the Prime Minister referred to the situation last year, when euro zone countries wanted to help bail out Greece using a fund to which the United Kingdom contributes.
"That's completely unacceptable, to use the money of a non-Eurozone state to solve a Eurozone crisis," he said. On the other hand, Cameron also said, "I want the Eurozone to succeed the Eurozone is our biggest trading partner."
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