London's bid to transform its EU membership has sparked turmoil. (Representational image
Brussels, Belgium:
The European Union will unveil plans on Tuesday for key changes in Britain's membership, including a "red card" system for parliaments to block laws made by Brussels, in a bid to prevent Britain becoming the first country to leave the bloc.
Both sides have trumpeted "progress" following talks between EU President Donald Tusk and Prime Minister David Cameron at the weekend.
The EU president, who is keen to avoid a so-called "Brexit", warned however there were still "outstanding issues" to resolve.
A deal is far from done, with Cameron first having to persuade his fellow 27 EU leaders to back the reform proposals at a leaders' summit in Brussels on February 18-19.
If he gets an agreement, he will then campaign for Britain to remain in the EU in an in-out referendum that is likely to be held in June.
London's bid to transform its EU membership has sparked turmoil, coming as the alliance struggles with the biggest influx of migrants since World War II and the fallout from the eurozone debt crisis.
Former Polish Prime Minister Tusk is due to send the plans to EU leaders on Tuesday morning before releasing them publicly at 1100 GMT, EU officials said.
"Tomorrow around noon I will table proposal for a new settlement for #UKinEU. Good progress last 24 hours but still outstanding issues," Tusk wrote on Twitter on Monday night.
'Red Card' System
A source in Cameron's Downing Street office said "progress has been made", adding: "A period of intense negotiation will then begin with all the other member states with the aim of securing their support for all the ambitious proposals."
Tusk's draft contained a "red card" system that would allow a group of 55 percent of the EU's national parliaments to stop or change EU laws, which was one of Cameron's goals, the source said.
The EU's current "yellow card" system using a term taken from football disciplinary infractions only allows parliaments to demand an explanation of laws from Brussels.
London has previously warned that there is "more hard work" to do before any summit deal is possible on the four broad policy areas in which Cameron wants reforms.
Both sides have trumpeted "progress" following talks between EU President Donald Tusk and Prime Minister David Cameron at the weekend.
The EU president, who is keen to avoid a so-called "Brexit", warned however there were still "outstanding issues" to resolve.
A deal is far from done, with Cameron first having to persuade his fellow 27 EU leaders to back the reform proposals at a leaders' summit in Brussels on February 18-19.
If he gets an agreement, he will then campaign for Britain to remain in the EU in an in-out referendum that is likely to be held in June.
London's bid to transform its EU membership has sparked turmoil, coming as the alliance struggles with the biggest influx of migrants since World War II and the fallout from the eurozone debt crisis.
Former Polish Prime Minister Tusk is due to send the plans to EU leaders on Tuesday morning before releasing them publicly at 1100 GMT, EU officials said.
"Tomorrow around noon I will table proposal for a new settlement for #UKinEU. Good progress last 24 hours but still outstanding issues," Tusk wrote on Twitter on Monday night.
'Red Card' System
A source in Cameron's Downing Street office said "progress has been made", adding: "A period of intense negotiation will then begin with all the other member states with the aim of securing their support for all the ambitious proposals."
Tusk's draft contained a "red card" system that would allow a group of 55 percent of the EU's national parliaments to stop or change EU laws, which was one of Cameron's goals, the source said.
The EU's current "yellow card" system using a term taken from football disciplinary infractions only allows parliaments to demand an explanation of laws from Brussels.
London has previously warned that there is "more hard work" to do before any summit deal is possible on the four broad policy areas in which Cameron wants reforms.
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