British PM Cameron says will need change in EU founding treaties to curb immigration

British Prime Minister David Cameron said on Friday he would require the European Union to change its founding treaties to allow him to restrict migrants from the bloc tapping into his country's welfare system. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
British Prime Minister David Cameron said on Friday he would require the European Union to change its founding treaties to allow him to restrict migrants from the bloc tapping into his country's welfare system. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

ROCESTER, England (Reuters) - British Prime Minister David Cameron said on Friday he would require the European Union to change its founding treaties to allow him to restrict migrants from the bloc tapping into his country's welfare system.

"There's a debate in Europe about exactly which bits of legislation, which bits of the treaty you'll need to change, but there's no doubt this package as a whole will require some treaty change and I'm confident we can negotiate that," he said.

Cameron was speaking after setting out a detailed blueprint for restricting EU migrants' access to welfare benefits.

He has said he wants to renegotiate Britain's EU ties if re-elected next year before holding a membership referendum in 2017.

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