Brexit would be a ‘tragedy’, says French PM

It would be a tragedy if Britain left the European Union, French prime minister Manuel Valls said on Thursday, adding that he hoped an EU leaders' summit in February would allow for progress towards a deal.

British prime minister David Cameron hopes to win a deal on reforms with the European Union at February summit, opening the way for a referendum on membership which could take place as early as June. He will also meet EU leaders in Davos to press his case.

“We must find a compromise, everybody is contributing to this and I hope that the February meeting will allow us to make progress, that at least it will be a decisive step,” Mr Valls told the World Economic Forum in Davos.

“Seeing Britain leave the European Union would be a tragedy,” he added. “We must do everything for Britain and the British people ... to stay in the European Union. But of course not at just any condition, that wouldn’t make sense.”

Reuters