EU extends deadline for sufficient progress in Brexit talks

Brussels Dec 5 (IANS) Despite continuous efforts and growing common grounds of Britain and the European Union (EU) it was not possible to reach a complete agreement Monday said EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker in a hastily arranged press conference with visiting British Prime Minister Theresa May.

"This is not a failure. This is the start of the very last " he was quoted as saying.

Extending EU s deadline by pledging to resume their talks later this week he added.

Calling May as a tough negotiator in his two-minute briefing Juncker said he is confident that sufficient progress could be reached before the EU summit slated for December 15.

Echoing Juncker s optimism May told reporters in her one-minute speech that "we will conclude this positively."

"Crucially it is clear that we want to move forward together but on a couple of issues differences do remain which require further negotiation and consultation " said May before heading to meet President of the European Council Donald Tusk almost one-hour late than scheduled.

Prior to May s Brussels trip expectations were high for breakthroughs on three major Brexit issues namely the divorce bill Irish border and citizen s rights.

--IANS
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