Cameron pins EU reform hopes on Merkel

Previews and reports of a meeting between German Chancellor Angela Merkel and United Kingdom Prime Minister David Cameron in London on the 7 January 2015.

The primary focus of the talks was Germany's agenda for its G7 presidency in 2015, although Mr Cameron's proposals to reform the European Union and its relationship with its member states was also discussed.

After the talks David Cameron said he was 'convinced' he could 'fix the problems' in the UK's relationship with Europe that the British public found 'very frustrating'.

However, Quentin Peel, writing for Chatham House wrote 'What should be a close partnership is poisoned by a fundamental difference in views on the EU’s future'.

• Primary Source

ESO: In Focus: Brexit - The United Kingdom and the European Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/brexit-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union/

ESO: Background information: Clegg backs curbs on EU migrant benefits http://www.europeansources.info/record/clegg-backs-curbs-on-eu-migrant-benefits/

BBC News, 07.01.15: David Cameron: I can fix EU 'problem' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-30701604

Deutsche Welle, 07.01.15: Merkel heads to London ahead of critical UK election http://dw.de/p/1EFsc

EUObserver, 08.01.15: Germany gives no ground to UK on EU migration http://euobserver.com/news/127134

The Guardian, 07.01.15: David Cameron turns EU enthusiast to little effect http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/jan/07/cameron-merkel-eu-freedom-movement

Deutsche Welle, 07.01.15: Merkel and Cameron meet in London to discuss global trade and EU http://dw.de/p/1EGQM

The Daily Telegraph, 07.01.15: Germany can't afford a Brexit (via Euro|Topics) http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/aehnliche/archiv_article/ARTICLE156201-Germany-can-t-afford-a-Brexit

Blog: Open Europe, 08.01.15: Brexit: Germany needs Britain in the EU more than ever http://openeurope.org.uk/impact/germany-should-be-petrified-of-brexit/

Open Europe: Daily Shakeup, 08.01.15: Merkel gives little away but hints she could be open to reforming EU migrants’ access to benefits http://openeurope.org.uk/daily-shakeup/merkel-gives-little-away-hints-open-reforming-eu-migrants-access-benefits/

UK: GOV.UK: Prime Minister's Office: Speech, 07.01.15: David Cameron and Angela Merkel press conference https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/david-cameron-and-angela-merkel-press-conference

Chatham House: Experts: Expert Comment, 07.01.15: Cameron and Merkel's Continental Divide http://www.chathamhouse.org/expert/comment/16594

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