British Prime Minister David Cameron addressed fellow EU members to consider policy changes from the point of view of British citizens at the summit, so that they don't leave the EU when the referendum about Brexit takes place next year.
Cameron, at the EU Summit put forth changes like withholding in-work benefits from EU migrants for four years however, members of the council who are opposed to the discriminatory nature of the suggestion, have said that the stripping away of benefits will then have to extend to British citizens as well, which would affect young graduates the most.
Donald Tusk, the President of the European Council, said that David Cameron is on board with the idea that discriminating against EU migrants would be crossing a "red line" of the EU treaties, reports The Telegraph.
"The clearest message from David Cameron is that everyone including David Cameron is not ready to accept discrimination," he was quoted as saying. "It is for him unacceptable."
Member states are however, eager to retain the UK within the EU and would be ready to work with the PM so that the country doesn't choose to exit when the referendum poll comes around next year.
While Angel Merkel, the German Chancellor, suggested that she was ready for a treaty change to accommodate Britain's demands, French President Francois Hollande suggested that the ban on in-work benefits be limited to two years not four, adding that the policy would have to be equally applicable to British citizens.
"I haven't put any other proposals on the table. The commission said they believe there are solutions. Not compromises, solutions. I am confident we can find solutions.
"The good news is that there is a pathway to an agreement. But the truth is it will be very hard work not just on welfare but on all the issues we put forward.
"There is enormous support in the room for finding changes to keep Britain in the European Union. People will want to find solutions," Cameron was quoted as saying by The Telegraph.
As the summit ended, a pledge to find "find mutually satisfactory solutions" was taken by the EU leaders by the next meeting in February regarding Britain's exit from the EU.