The European Commission is ready to compromise with the UK for the sake of an agreement on reforming the European Union, which would keep the United Kingdom in the ranks of the EU , European Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas said.
"We are ready to compromise, willing to help to reach an agreement," TASS cited her as saying.
European Council President Donald Tusk has sent a letter to the heads of state and government of the 28 EU countries, in which he stated that an agreement between London and Brussels on reform of the European Union will be adopted in February.
"The December European Council should address all the political dilemmas related to this process. Based on a substantive political discussion we should be able to prepare a concrete proposal to be finally adopted in February," he stressed.
"We need some more time to sort out the precise drafting on all of these issues, including the exact legal form the final deal will take. We also have to overcome the substantial political differences that we still have on the issue of social benefits and free movement," the head of the European Council said.
However, he acknowledged that the Prime Minister David Cameron's claims to reform the European Union are difficult. "Consultations have shown that the issues raised by the British Prime Minister are difficult. At the same time, there is a strong will on the part of all sides to find solutions that respond to the British request while benefitting the European Union as a whole," the letter reads.
"Uncertainty about the future of the UK in the European Union is a destabilizing factor. That is why we must find a way to answer the British concerns as quickly as possible," the head of the European Council said.