British Prime Minister David Cameron today warned European Union leaders there will be a rough road ahead as his nation is seeking a drastic reform of the bloc's policies ahead of a referendum on whether to leave.
In his first meeting with EU counterparts since his election victory earlier this month, Cameron said that "there will be lots of noise, lots of ups and downs along the way."
He has said that if Brussels refuses to budge on some essential demands, it could mean a so-called Brexit, the term for a potential British exit from the EU.
He kicked off his whirlwind campaign with several bilateral meetings at the EU-Eastern Partnership summit and will visit French President Francois Hollande Thursday and German Chancellor Angela Merkel next Friday.
Cameron has pledged to hold a national vote before the end of 2017 on whether Britain should leave the EU. The issue is one of the most important facing his government in the next five years and will likely start to increasingly affect the workings of the EU.
Cameron has been insistent on regaining decision-making powers from the EU, specifically when it comes to immigration and justice issues.
Some EU leaders have acknowledged they share some concerns, but they have insisted that allowing people to travel freely across the EU's 28 nations remains a cornerstone of their policies, whatever the British objections.
"Freedom of movement is the core value of the European Union," Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite insisted.
Cameron said he realizes the way ahead will not be easy.
"You will hear one day this is possible and the next day something else is impossible," Cameron said. "But one thing throughout all of this will be constant and that is my determination to deliver for the British people a reform of the European Union."
French President Francois Hollande said it was up to Britain to do the heavy lifting if it wanted to push through change.
"We ask for nothing. Europe is not concerned by a vote," Hollande said.
Britain's industry and services sector stands to lose billions in trade if the country leaves the EU. Europe would also lose if Britain departed, leaving the continent with much less diplomatic and military clout.
