[Gorani:] All right, well, it's is a crucial day for the European Union, leaders are meeting in Brussels right now for what the European Council leaders say is a make or break summit. The topic, this country, Britain, should it remain in the European Union or should it exit the so-called "brexit." David Cameron wants other to agree reforms before he puts it to a public vote. He was in a bullish mood when he spoke about it earlier, listen.
[David Cameron, British Prime Minister:] We've got important work to do today and tomorrow and it's going to be hard. I'll be battling for Britain if we can get a good deal, I'll take the deal, but I will not take a deal that doesn't meet what we need. I think it's much more important to get this right than to do anything in a rush. But with goodwill, hard work, we can get a better deal for Britain.
[Gorani:] The leaders are discussing a deal of sorts agreed by David Cameron and E.U. Council Leader Donald Tusk. Here's what Britain wants. Among the reforms on the stable, a return of sovereignty to London, Cameron wants to reassurance that the U.K. will not be forced to be more involved in the E.U. than it wants to be. Another, and this is important for David Cameron and those who oppose greater relinquishing of sovereignty to the EU, limiting migrants access to social benefits in this country for the first four years after they alive and this could be a major sticking point in negotiations. Let's cross live to Brussels, CNN Money's Europe editor, Nina Dos Santos joins me now live with more. All right, so simple question, is Cameron going to get what he wants in Brussels today?
[Nina Dos Santos, Cnn Money Europe Editor:] The 28 answers to actually come to that conclusion, and they all have to be unanimous, Hala, and that is exactly what's going on in the building behind me. We have those European leaders, 28 heads of state that make up this particular block. Having a working dinner at the moment. I understand they're having a dinner of [inaudible] and potatoes which sounds officially enough like a very posh way of saying, fish and chips, which is a very typical British dish. David Cameron has embarked upon this enormous political gamble internationally and domestically as well to silence the skeptics within his own conservative party back home. People here in Brussels are very aware there's domestic politics that play as much as international politics, however, with significant consequences for all. This particular meeting in the culmination of no more than fewer than 20 speed charming meetings that David Cameron has been embarking upon in the last month or so. This is what's at stake and what's been achieved so far.
[Dos Santos:] Crisscrossing the continent, shaking hands at a time showing his teeth.
[Cameron:] We want to have a Europe where we're not into a superstate, but we can be proud and independent.
[Dos Santos:] David Cameron has plowed on with his efforts to secure reform of the E.U. Concessions which he hopes will convince his country to stay in the union, on its own terms.
[Cameron:] Europe that is competitive. We want a Europe that respects our currency and treats us fairly.
[Dos Santos:] Behind the scenes and in front of the cameras, experts laid them on the table. Acting out here how a British exit or brexit would play out in complex negotiations, and it isn't pretty.
[Unidentified Male:] It's not you're out, you would be out once you come to an agreement with European Union. Europe is a disaster.
[Unidentified Female:] You are not going to be saved.
[Unidentified Male:] This is an absolutely devastating decision that Britain has taken.
[Dos Santos:] The E.U. is the U.K.'s biggest export market taking in about 44 percent of its goods and services every year. But that share has been dwindling over the past decade. What's more, the UK runs a deficit with Europe and trade surplus with other faster growing economies, which is why some suggest the nation could afford to go it alone.
[Malcolm Rilliand, Former British Foreign Secretary:] You have people at either end of the debate, some desperate to leave, some desperate to stay, most find what is in the long-term interest.
[Dos Santos:] But leaving the E.U. could cost the country dear, up to 3 percent of its GDP according to some surveys as free trade deals become void and terrorists return. Goldman Sachs reckons the pound could plunge 20 percent. But the rest of the E.U., a U.K. departure wouldn't just mean lost growth, it could set a dangerous precedent for others eyeing up the exit door.
[Unidentified Female:] It is dangerous because it would be the first time that the right to succession would occur. But it's a bad signal.
[Dos Santos:] Which mean either way this referendum won't redefine Britain's relationship with its neighbors, but test the ties that bind the entire block. Now, Hala, earlier you mentioned those two thorny issues as before David Cameron is going for. Particularly limiting ply grants benefits across the United Kingdom. That has four eastern European countries u in arms. And getting them on board will be crucial, as much as getting France on board to try and make sure that the U.K. isn't getting special treatment here. Those are going to be the kind of things that are playing in the room behind me. I understand that it's likely that we'll only really hear the full nuts and bolts of any agreement about 11:00 a.m. tomorrow morning when they have a breakfast meeting. Interestingly enough again, many [inaudible] that's British, it'll be an English breakfast. Let's see whether the English side, British side gets what they want out of it.
[Gorani:] All right. We'll see what they have for breakfast, will it be German pastries or English breakfast tea. We'll make a whole thing out of what they decided to have for breakfast. Nina Dos Santos in Brussels following this important story for us, thanks very much. And do stay tuned because on the program we have a very interesting discussion later on in the show. I will be speaking to two MPs from the same party, the conservative party, they have different opinions on the E.U. One says the U.K. should stay in, the other says the U.K. should leave. First though, we'll return to the war in Syria. Amid accusations hospitals are being intentionally targeted by war planes, I'll ask "Newsweek's" Middle East editor where she thinks the battle lines are being drawn and I'll have her with more on a new book she has out on her time in Syria. We'll be right back.