A Downing Street spokesperson said:

In each phone call, the Prime Minister set out his aim to progress the UK renegotiation at the European Council later this week with a substantive, political discussion on all the issues which would pave the way for solutions to be found over the coming months.

The Chancellor, Council President and Commission President shared the Prime Minister’s ambition for discussions on Thursday, and looked forward to a positive and constructive debate that would sustain momentum in the negotiations ahead of the February European Council.