Ha! NOW they are willing to talk. Jean-Claude Juncker, the president of the European Commission, has promised to work with David Cameron to negotiate Britain's EU membership.
Congratulating Mr Cameron on achieveing his re-election, Mr Juncker said yesterday: "I stand ready to work with you to strike a fair deal for the United Kingdom in the EU and look forward to your ideas and proposals in this regard.
Mr Cameron's bid to renegotiate Britain's European Union membership received an early boost when an ally of German Chancellor Angela Merkel suggested major changes to European rules.
Mr Cameron, re-elected on a promise to hold a referendum on EU membership by the end of 2017, is already under pressure from Conservative MPs to deliver significant changes in the relationship.
Some European leaders have previously warned that big changes to EU rules just to accomodate Britain are unlikely.
But following Mr Cameron's election victory, some have suggested that concessions are possible.
Manfred Weber, the leader of the conservative group in the European Parliament and an ally of Mrs Merkel, hinted that Europe should now consider major changes.
However, Mr Weber also warned that fundamental EU rules like the right to free movement cannot be changed.
"On the referendum, the ball is in Mr Cameron’s court. He has to put his demands on the table. But EU freedoms will not be negotiable," Mr Weber said.
"We Europeans must also start thinking about whether it is time for a larger treaty reform."
Read much more:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/11592457/EU-must-consider-major-reform-to-keep-Britain-in-Merkel-ally-says.html
