Merkel tells Cameron a ‘reasonable package’ should avoid Brexit / Cameron asks Germans to help keep Britain in EU

Report of a visit by United Kingdom Prime Minister David Cameron to Bavaria 6-7 January 2016 at the invitation of the leadership of the Christian Social Union (CSU) to discuss challenges facing Europe, including the calls for EU reform by the UK and current migration issues. In the fringes of this event Mr Cameron also had talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Mr Cameron also wrote a guest editorial for publication in the mass circulation Bild newspaper.

Chancellor Merkel stated she wanted talks to renegotiate the terms of the UK's membership of the European Union to produce a 'reasonable package' that would keep the country in the bloc.

Mr Cameron asked Germans to support his proposed changes to the European Union, arguing that such support would persuade more people in Britain to stay in the EU.

On 25 January 2016, Mr Cameron and Ms Merkel spoke on the phone to further discuss the renegotiation process.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Why Britain keeps its distance http://www.europeansources.info/record/why-britain-keeps-its-distance/

ESO: Background information: German business, public back UK EU reform plan http://www.europeansources.info/record/german-business-public-back-uk-eu-reform-plan/

ESO: Background information: European Council Conclusions on the United Kingdom (17 December 2015) http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-european-council-conclusions-on-the-united-kingdom-17-december-2015/

EUObserver, 07.01.16: Cameron asks Germans to help keep Britain in EU https://euobserver.com/political/131732

BBC News, 07.01.16: Hungarian PM tells David Cameron 'we are not parasites' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-eu-referendum-35245888

The Guardian, 05.01.16: EU reform: senior German politicians move to support David Cameron http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jan/05/eu-reform-senior-german-politicians-support-david-cameron

ESO: Background information: Cameron and Merkel break bread over Brexit http://www.europeansources.info/record/cameron-and-merkel-break-bread-over-brexit/

UK: Prime Minister's Office: Speech, 07.01.16: PM statement on EU reform in Bavaria, 7 January 2016 https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-statement-on-eu-reform-in-bavaria-7-january-2016

ESO: Background information: Cameron weighs shorter welfare benefit ban http://www.europeansources.info/record/cameron-weighs-shorter-welfare-benefit-ban/

UK: Prime Minister's Office: Press Release, 07.01.16: Prime Minister visits BMW's Munich base https://www.gov.uk/government/news/prime-minister-visits-bmws-munich-base

Politico, 07.01.16: Bavarians lend sympathetic ear to Cameron’s ‘issues’ http://www.politico.eu/article/bavarian-lend-sympathetic-ear-cameron-migration/

Deutsche Welle, 07.01.16: Cameron courts CSU in Bavaria with call for EU welfare limits http://dw.com/p/1HZdt

The Local.de, 07.01.16: Cameron woos Germans with EU reform plan http://www.thelocal.de/20160107/cameron-begs-germany-to-help-avoid-brexit

ESO: Background information: Brexit Danger: The EU Strategy to Keep Britain from Leaving http://www.europeansources.info/record/brexit-danger-the-eu-strategy-to-keep-britain-from-leaving/

EurActiv, 07.01.16: Cameron Brexit proposals get mixed reception in Berlin and Budapest http://www.euractiv.com/sections/uk-europe/cameron-brexit-proposals-get-mixed-reception-berlin-and-budapest-320783

EurActiv, 20.01.16: Berlin ‘ready to find solutions’ on Brexit benefits question http://www.euractiv.com/sections/uk-europe/berlin-ready-find-solutions-brexit-benefits-question-321161

UK: Prime Minister's Office: Press Release, 25.01.16: PM call with Angela Merkel: 25 January 2016 https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-call-with-angela-merkel-25-january-2016

Politico, 26.01.16: David Cameron and Angela Merkel catch up on Europe’s future http://www.politico.eu/article/david-cameron-and-angela-merkel-catch-up-on-europes-future/

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