British Prime Minister David Cameron on Friday 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.