UK will not insist on EU treaty change, says foreign minister

Britain's eurosceptic foreign secretary has given his most enthusiastic backing yet for the UK's place in a reformed EU saying the continent's powers favour a "fast" settlement of the British question.

Amid warnings from Bank of England governor Mark Carney that a planned referendum on EU membership is causing business uncertainty, Philip Hammond said he wants a deal as fast as possible, raising expectations of a possible vote in 2016.

In an interview with the Financial Times, Mr Hammond said he aimed to support the "yes" campaign.

He made clear that EU treaty change, a major point of contention in many European capitals, was not, in itself, a political goal for the Conservative government.

The foreign secretary's comments open up the possibility of more creative legal solutions to meet UK demands, which would avoid a prolonged treaty change process and fit an accelerated 2016 timetable.

One option would see EU leaders issuing a decision that has binding force under international law but in effect postdates treaty change.

"That is how I want this process to end up: a good package of reforms; a 'yes' vote; and a step change in the way the relationship works, with Britain being really engaged and a loud voice in the union," Mr Hammond said, speaking on the sidelines of a meeting of Nato foreign ministers in Antalya.

Echoing Mr Carney's call for the government to move with "appropriate speed" towards a referendum, the minister said the negotiation would be conducted "as fast as possible" and potentially in time for a referendum before 2017.

The timing would depend "entirely on our partners", Mr Hammond said.

"If they enthusiastically embrace the [reform] agenda . . . we would move as fast as possible.

"We want to finish this as soon as we can. But it is most important to get it right. There may be an appetite in some of the powerful member states to move fast."

Along with David Cameron, the prime minister, and George Osborne, the chancellor, Mr Hammond will handle the negotiations for Britain's new membership terms.

Mr Cameron aims to lay out his wishlist at a summit of EU leaders in late June.

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In a nod to concerns in Paris and Berlin that Britain might demand laborious treaty changes, the foreign secretary said the UK will focus on policy substance and would only press for treaty change to ensure the reforms hold up in court.

"We need to start on the basis of substance - what is the end result?" he said.

"I'm sure there are lots of people who will think it is all about the process, whether some protocol or article are better.

"For the vast majority of the British people the important thing is where we end up, the outcome."

While noting Mr Cameron's conclusion that some reforms would require changes to EU treaties, Mr Hammond said: "It does not mean we need treaty change for the politics - the issue is how to protect the [measures] from legal challenge."

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Since winning a surprise majority in last week's UK general election Mr Cameron has faced a few setbacks in Europe.

Germany has made clear that it will not rush to change the EU treaties and eastern European ministers have spoken out against curbs on proposed migrant worker rights that discriminate against their citizens.

British officials see those remarks as positioning at the start of a negotiation and remain confident of emerging with a strong set of reforms.

Addressing continental concerns over Britain's commitment to the EU post-negotiation, Mr Hammond said the settlement would allow the UK to be a "wholehearted participant" in the bloc.

"What we need to do is ensure that people are relaxed and comfortable about being part of the EU.

"!There is no victory in getting a 'yes' vote in a referendum and British people are still feeling uncomfortable and put upon by the union," he said.

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