Cameron and Hollande To Hold EU 'Pub Summit'

By Anushka Asthana, Political Correspondent

David Cameron will try to persuade Francois Hollande to back his plans for EU reform later when he takes the French president for a pub lunch in his Oxfordshire constituency.

The Prime Minister needs support if he wants to secure his promise to roll back EU red tape by renegotiating Britain's relationship with Europe.

He plans to hold a referendum on EU membership in 2017 if the Conservatives win the next general election. He has been under intense pressure from Eurosceptic backbenchers.

But sources close to the French president have said it is "very, very unlikely" he would agree to treaty changes under that timetable.

Mr Hollande knows that he will be under electoral pressure in 2017 as he faces French elections.

The discussion could overshadow the Anglo-French summit in which the two countries will sign up to deeper cooperation between their defence, civil nuclear and space industries.

Among the agreements will be a £120m feasibility study into a joint programme to build a fleet of unarmed combat drones.

But the discussions are likely to turn to Europe after the formal meetings at Brize Norton end.

Mrs Cameron will not meet Mr Hollande, who split from Valerie Trierweiler

Tensions may be high after sources close to the president chose the eve of the summit to attack Britain's hopes to repatriate powers from the EU. They warned UK demands were unreasonable and could be damaging.

British officials played down the rift, insisting it was positive the French were now talking about when reform took place, and not if.

A source said he was expecting an "entente tres cordiale" - with deepening ties in a number of industries.

He said the fact the summit was taking place on the centenary of the first world war would be a reminder of the UK and France's historic ties.

The Prime Minister would use the lunch discussion to argue for a "flexibility and the importance of competitiveness" in Europe.

He insisted that Mr Cameron was "optimistic", saying questions were once around whether there was a need for treaty change.

There was now a growing acceptance that would be required, he added.

"Each country will bring to the table it's own perspectives and we will bring ours."

Other agreements will include the £500m joint purchase of anti-ship missiles.

There will also be discussions about the possibility of a joint expeditionary force, a chance to look at a mock-up of a combat drone and discussions about civil nuclear after a deal in which French giant EDF will build a new power station at Hinkley Point in Somerset.

Mr Cameron wants British SME's to be involved in the industry's supply chain.

Despite holding the summit close to his Oxfordshire home, Mr Cameron has not invited his wife, Samantha.

It was perhaps considered best after Mr Hollande ended a seven-year relationship with Valerie Trierweiler following reports of an affair with actress Julie Gayet.

The former First Lady of France said learning of the affair made her feel like she had "fallen from a skyscraper".

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

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