"The argument isn't whether Britain could survive outside of Europe. Of course it could," Cameron told the annual conference of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), the country's main business lobby.
"The argument is how we could be best off," he told the group, many of whose members are concerned about the economic consequences of a possible "Brexit".
Cameron was interrupted by two protesters who stood up and chanted "Voice of Brussels!", reflecting a suspicion among eurosceptics that he has already made up his mind in favour of Britain staying in the EU.
Cameron is to give more detail on Tuesday in a letter to European Council president Donald Tusk on Britain's reform demands ahead of a referendum that is due to be held by 2017 at the latest.
"If I can't achieve them, I rule nothing out," he said, reiterating a warning to EU leaders.
"If these things can't be fixed, then Britain would naturally ask: do we belong in this organisation?
"Is this organisation flexible enough to make sure that countries inside the eurozone can grow and succeed and countries outside the eurozone, like Britain, can get what they want?" he said.
Cameron also repeated that some of Britain's demands would require changing EU treaties -- or at least a binding promise that treaties will be changed...
AFP
ahram.org.eg
9/11/15
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The European Union needs to play a less prominent role in some aspects of how its member countries function, British Prime Minister David Cameron said as he laid out his plans for EU reforms before holding a membership referendum...
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"That very diversity is Europe's greatest strength. Britain says: let's celebrate that fact, let's acknowledge that the answer to every problem is not always more Europe. Sometimes it's less Europe."
Cameron was speaking on the same day that he was due to send a letter to the president of the European Council, which represents EU member states, setting out his main objectives from a reform of the bloc.
Cameron has said he will hold the referendum before the end of 2017.
REUTERS
10/11/15