France says Britain EU referendum ‘very risky’

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said a British referendum on whether to leave the EU was "very risky", ahead of a visit by Prime Minister David Cameron to Paris on <g data-gr-id="26">Thursday .</g>

Cameron is carrying out a whistle-stop tour of European capitals to push for reforms he says are necessary before the EU referendum, including on immigration.

"We will listen to him and see what he proposes," said Fabius.

"He launched this referendum project, it is something very risky. We hope Britain stays in the European Union, nevertheless there are things that need to be improved."

Fabius said that France was in favour of a simplification of the functioning of the 28-nation bloc.

"But even though we say yes to an improvement of the Union, we cannot agree with its breakup."

After winning this month's election with a narrow surprise majority, Cameron's centre-right government will Thursday publish its first bill which will pave the way for a referendum by 2017 on whether Britain should leave the European Union. Cameron said on Wednesday   he hoped the measure would pass in "extra quick time" and has not ruled out holding the referendum vote next year.