David Cameron has said he is confident of getting the changes he wants in the UK’s relationship with Europe.
He told BBC Radio 4’s Today he wants a “fresh settlement” with Europe and would then seek “consent” from Britons.
Although he declined to say this would be done via a referendum, he said it would done in a ” straightforward way”.
Mr Cameron is expected to announce his plans – including a future referendum – in detail in a long-awaited speech on the UK and Europe next week.
He has faced pressure to hold a referendum on Europe and has been criticised by some in his own party for not doing more to distance the UK from the EU.
But others, such as pro-European Tory peer Lord Heseltine, have warned a referendum would jeopardise the UK’s business prospects.
Mr Cameron said he wanted the UK to remain within the EU but said there was a need to redefine the relationship in light of moves towards further integration by countries using the single currency.
“Europe is changing and the opportunity for us to lead those changes and make changes that will make our relationship with Europe more comfortable I think are absolutely there.
“I am confident we can do that – a fresh settlement and then fresh consent for that settlement,” he said.
He dismissed critics who said the uncertainty caused by a future referendum that could lead to the UK’s exit from the EU, put at risk Britain’s relationship with Europe and could cause problems for British business.
“This debate is happening anyway,” he said of changes to the EU prompted by the recent euro area crisis.
“You have a choice as politicians – do you get out there, lead that debate and make the changes that will be right for Britain – and I would argue right for Europe – and then give people a choice about that or do you stick you head in the sand and hope the debate will go away?”
However, he insisted it was not in Britain’s interests to leave the European Union because as a trading nation being part of the single market was important.