British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will ask parliament to back any Brexit deal that he secures from the European Union within 24 hours of the European summit next week, the Times reported on Saturday.

Johnson will introduce a motion on Saturday for a vote asking lawmakers to back any agreement he secures from EU at the October 17-18 summit, along with the terms of the Benn act, which mandates him to seek an extension if a deal is not reached, the newspaper said.

The European Union agreed on Friday to enter intense talks with Britain to try to break the deadlock over Brexit, lifting financial markets with a sign that a deal could be done before the October 31 deadline.

On Friday, EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier briefed the bloc's member states on the "constructive meeting" with UK Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay, which took place earlier that day. Representatives from the 27 member states gave Barnier the green light to "intensify" talks.

According to the later EU statement, its position remains the same.

It pointed out that the final deal must contain a "legally operative solution," which will avoid a hard border with Ireland while keeping the island's economy. The bloc added that it will keep track of the progress.

(With input from Reuters)