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U.S. Vice President Joe Biden held talks at Downing Street on Tuesday amid renewed warnings from the Obama administration that it does not want Britain to leave the European Union.

Biden sat down with Prime Minister David Cameron on the final leg of a short tour of Europe that will also include taking part in a National Security Council meeting.

Earlier he said America's relations with the UK were "the most open" it enjoyed with any nation as he chatted with Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.

The EU issue has gained wider international interest after Cameron's promise last month to hold an in/out referendum on European membership if he wins the next general election.

In an interview with The Times newspaper, Biden said the White House view was that the UK was stronger as a result of its membership and the EU stronger with the UK's involvement.