David Cameron's mission to get powers back from ‎Europe is driven by 'hatred' and 'lies', the president of the European Parliament said last night.

‎‎Just hours after meeting the Prime Minister, Martin Schulz said British politicians are feeding on 'national resentment' and the 'scapegoating' of Romanians and Bulgarians.

‎The pair held a breakfast session in Downing Street as part of Mr Cameron's campaign to renegotiate Britain's relationship with the EU ahead of a referendum by the end of 2017.

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David Cameron's hopes of ending Brussels' push towards 'ever closer union' have been dashed by the President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz. The two men today attended a service to mark the anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo at St Paul's Cathedral

The prime minister‎ has made restricting EU migrants' access to British welfare payments a key part of that effort.

But his plan received a significant setback last night when Mr Schulz said: 'There are attempts by people in Europe and also in this country to create new barriers between countries.

'Stirring a feeling of panic over so-called benefit tourists from Romania and Bulgaria wanting to plunder the social systems of the host countries.'

The German socialist added: 'Outright lies are told.

'What makes me sad and angry in all this debate is the undertone of national resentment. Hatred is spread. People are used as scapegoats.'

‎He poured cold water on Mr Cameron's plans for renegotiation, saying changes in the relationship between Britain and the EU were not 'possible'.

Mr Schulz said Britain 'belongs' to the EU and said there was no prospect of treaty change to rule out 'ever closer union' because of near-unanimous opposition in European capitals.

And he reiterated that fundamental changes to the free movement of labour were off the table.

It came as French newspaper Le Monde chose the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo to warn of the dangers of leaving the EU.

Mr Cameron and Mr Schulz discussed Britain's demands over an hour-long working breakfast of scrambled egg, bacon and tomatoes

Mr Schulz said there were 'different views' among member states on Britain's proposals but that there were also areas of 'common ground'

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It published an editorial in English under the title: 'Britain beware, Brexit could be your Waterloo'.

It said: 'The country which cornered Napoleon cannot succumb to Nigel Farage.'

The paper urged 'our British allies' to 'resist the familiar temptation of splendid isolation'.

'Today, we solemnly say to our friends across the Channel: beware, Brexit could be your Waterloo!

'And to make sure the message is really heard, we have gone as far as to convey it in English. Messieurs les Anglais, don't let the sirens of a fake independence pull you away from the continent.

'Just as in 1815, your future is in Europe.'

The prime minister also met Enda Kenny, the Irish leader, in Downing Street yesterday, before flying off to Ljubjana to meet the Slovenian prime minister.

Speaking before dinner, ‎Miro Cerar said he would 'listen' and 'dwell' on the British proposals.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said yesterday that the British had to decide what they wanted from its relationship with the EU.

Mr Cameron hopes to meet all 27 European leaders before a summit on the issue of UK renegotiation at the end of the month.

But Mr Schulz said Europe would not accept any changes to the preamble of the Lisbon Treaty, which sets out support for an 'ever-closer union'.

He said there was 'more or less unanimous' feeling among EU leaders that the treaty would not be re-opened for negotiations.

'To change it you need a treaty change,' he said. 'I see not so much chan‎ce of treaty change.

'Treaty changes take a ratification process in 42 chambers. Treaty change debates will take years.'

Asked by ITV News whether it was possible for Mr Cameron to change the relationship with the EU, Mr Schulz said: 'Nothing is possible for the time being. We have to wait and then we discuss.

'You cannot have a relationship with yourself. The EU and Britain are one thing‎. The UK belongs to the EU.'

He said important states like the UK have the right to discuss their relationship with the EU.

Mr Schulz reiterated that ‎there was no chance of challenging the free movement of labour, which was sacrosanct and non-negotiable.

However, he said the issue of welfare tourism is one which could be nominated without changes to the Lisbon Treaty.

After the meeting, Mr Shultz ‎said some 'controversial items' were discussed, but common ground could be found through discussion.

'Dialogue is necessary. Solutions are always coming via dialogue and at the end via compromise.

'There is a long list of common interests and I think common ground ‎could be found by analysing and discussing content. That is what we did.

'There were some controversial items and it is not surprising that ‎in the European Parliament some views are different than here in London.'

Mr Shultz said the pair had discussed how to stop the 'abuse' of welfare systems while ensuring the fundamental rights of citizens under EU treaties.

Mr Cameron said: 'We have got a long way to go in this reform and renegotiation, a lot of things to discuss , things that I believe fundamentally need to change, but it has been a good start to these discussions today.'

Angela Merkel said yesterday that while she wanted Britain to stay, the UK needed to work out what role it wanted to play.

‎The German Chancellor said she had asked Donald Tusk, the president of the European Council, to examine the changes Britain wants. But she said free movement and anti-discrimination directives would not be lifted.

She said the EU had previously managed to keep Denmark and Ireland in the club when they raised doubts.

'I am confident we can achieve this this time,' she said‎.