Confident of securing EU reform deal

British Prime Minister David Cameron said Friday he was confident of getting a deal on EU reforms which he can then put to a promised 2017 referendum on Britain's future in the bloc.

"I'm confident because in the end I think it's in everybody's interests," Cameron said when asked about the prospects of success after he met EU leaders in Riga for the first time since his surprise re-election victory earlier this month.

Despite his confidence, Cameron added he was prepared to lead Britain out of the EU if he did not secure the reforms which he says are necessary.

"I've always said that if I don't get what I think we need then I rule nothing out," he said.

Cameron admitted he was "not going to say I was met with a wall of love" when he arrived at the summit but added he had received plenty of congratulations on his election win.

Following that victory, legislation paving the way for a referendum on whether Britain should leave Europe is set to be tabled next week.
Source: AFP