Calendar An icon of a desk calendar. Cancel An icon of a circle with a diagonal line across. Caret An icon of a block arrow pointing to the right. Email An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of the Facebook "f" mark. Google An icon of the Google "G" mark. Linked In An icon of the Linked In "in" mark. Logout An icon representing logout. Profile An icon that resembles human head and shoulders. Telephone An icon of a traditional telephone receiver. Tick An icon of a tick mark. Is Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes. Is Not Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes with a diagonal line through it. Pause Icon A two-lined pause icon for stopping interactions. Quote Mark A opening quote mark. Quote Mark A closing quote mark. Arrow An icon of an arrow. Folder An icon of a paper folder. Breaking An icon of an exclamation mark on a circular background. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Caret An icon of a caret arrow. Clock An icon of a clock face. Close An icon of the an X shape. Close Icon An icon used to represent where to interact to collapse or dismiss a component Comment An icon of a speech bubble. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Ellipsis An icon of 3 horizontal dots. Envelope An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Home An icon of a house. Instagram An icon of the Instagram logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. Magnifying Glass An icon of a magnifying glass. Search Icon A magnifying glass icon that is used to represent the function of searching. Menu An icon of 3 horizontal lines. Hamburger Menu Icon An icon used to represent a collapsed menu. Next An icon of an arrow pointing to the right. Notice An explanation mark centred inside a circle. Previous An icon of an arrow pointing to the left. Rating An icon of a star. Tag An icon of a tag. Twitter An icon of the Twitter logo. Video Camera An icon of a video camera shape. Speech Bubble Icon A icon displaying a speech bubble WhatsApp An icon of the WhatsApp logo. Information An icon of an information logo. Plus A mathematical 'plus' symbol. Duration An icon indicating Time. Success Tick An icon of a green tick. Success Tick Timeout An icon of a greyed out success tick. Loading Spinner An icon of a loading spinner. Facebook Messenger An icon of the facebook messenger app logo. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Facebook Messenger An icon of the Twitter app logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. WhatsApp Messenger An icon of the Whatsapp messenger app logo. Email An icon of an mail envelope. Copy link A decentered black square over a white square.

French leader rebuffs Cameron on reforms

French leader rebuffs Cameron on reforms

French president Francois Hollande has told David Cameron that Paris does not regard renegotiation of European Union treaties as a “priority”.

In talks at RAF Brize Norton, the prime minister made clear that he believes changes to the fundamental EU treaties are necessary as part of the process leading to the in/out referendum on British membership he has promised by the end of 2017.

Differences over Europe overshadowed a UK-France summit which saw agreements to extend defence co-operation, including a £120million joint feasibility study for a new armed drone and additional British logistical support for France’s military mission in the Central African Republic.

Mr Hollande was also confronted with questions from the British press about his reported affair with actress Julie Gayet, but refused point-blank to discuss his private life.

Mr Hollande was asked: “Do you think your private life has made France an international joke, are you still having an affair with Julie Gayet and do you wish she was here?”

The president replied with the terse comment: “I decline to answer.”

Mr Hollande ended a seven-year relationship with former first lady Valerie Trierweiler after a media report – which he has not denied – that he was having an affair with Ms Gayet.

He was more expansive on the issue of European reform, insisting there was no urgent need for treaty change.

“France would like the UK to remain within the EU,” said Mr Hollande.

“France would like to have a more efficient Europe which can attain the objectives which we consider to be essential – growth, employment, energy and the capacity to bring in the techniques for tomorrow and to protect our population.

“France would like the eurozone to be better co-ordinated, better integrated and, if there are going to be amendments to the text, we don’t feel that for the time being they are urgent. Revising the treaty is not a priority.”

But Mr Cameron said that there had been two changes to treaties since he took office in 2010 and insisted: “Just as the eurozone needs change, so Britain wants change in Europe – that renegotiation will involve elements of treaty change and then there will be a referendum in Britain before the end of 2017 that is an in/out referendum.”

The prime minister said: “If Britain and France do more together, our defence budgets will go further.

“We will invest £120million together in the feasibility phase of an unmanned combat air vehicle.”

Referring to the French actions in Mali, Mr Cameron said: “I have offered logistical flights to support these missions.”