EU opens second phase of Brexit talks, warns of tough talks

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European Union leaders agreed Friday to open crucial talks on a future relationship with Britain but warned they would be even tougher than the first torturous phase of negotiations.

EU President Donald Tusk congratulated British Prime Minister Theresa May after her 27 counterparts endorsed an interim deal on the terms of Britain's divorce, and approved the next stage of discussions.

Donald Tusk, president of the European Union (EU), arrives at a European Union (EU) leaders summit at the Europa Building in Brussels, Belgium, on Thursday, December 14, 2017. /VCG Photo

But although talks will begin in January on a post-Brexit transition period of around two years, they stressed that actual negotiations on future trade ties would not start until March, as they need more clarity on what Britain wants.

"EU leaders agree to move on to the second phase of Brexit talks. Congratulations PM Theresa May," EU President Donald Tusk tweeted.

May replied on Twitter, thanking Tusk and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and hailing it as a major advance in the negotiations.

"Today is an important step on the road to delivering a smooth and orderly Brexit and forging our deep and special future partnership," May said.

Twitter screenshot.

As he arrived for the meeting on Friday, Juncker – who sealed the deal with May on December 8 after tense all-night talks – said the British premier had made "big efforts."

But he warned the next stage "would be much harder than the first phase, and the first phase was very hard."

Britain voted to leave the EU in a referendum in June 2016 and is due to end its four decade membership on March 29, 2019.

Source(s): AFP