Britain’s David Cameron says progress made in negotiations with European Union

British Prime Minister David Cameron claimed “real progress” Tuesday in negotiations with the European Union, but said more work needs to be done before a satisfactory agreement on reform of the bloc can be approved at a summit this month.

Cameron told sometimes skeptical British voters that he is close to achieving a deal that would satisfy many of his demands for a fundamental change in Britain’s relations with the European Union.

He spoke after European Council President Donald Tusk unveiled proposals aimed at keeping Britain in the 28-nation EU.

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The proposals would make it possible for British lawmakers to work with European counterparts to block unwanted EU laws and also recognize that Britain now faces an “exceptional situation” regarding the influx of immigrants taxing the nation’s social services.

They would end Britain’s commitment to an “ever closer union” with Europe and recognize its ability to stay out of the euro single currency.

Cameron is seeking concessions before a planned referendum on whether Britain should remain part of the EU. That vote may be held as early as June. He said the document delivers the “substantial change” he had sought.

“On so many things, I was told these things would be impossible,” he said. “I said I wanted a red card system for national parliaments to block legislation. People said you wouldn’t get that. It’s there in the document.”

He also cited progress in his concerted bid to make citizens of other EU nations wait before claiming welfare benefits in Britain.

The draft deal was made public in a letter to EU leaders. It must be endorsed by Britain’s EU partners and is set to be thrashed out at a summit in Brussels on Feb. 18.

It is unclear whether the proposal as it now stands will placate many Britons who have come to resent the EU’s rule-making power and worry about the arrival on European shores of more than 1 million people fleeing war and poverty in the last year.

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