EU's Tusk to give Brexit 'situational update' Friday

Brussels (AFP) –

Issued on: 07/12/2017 - 19:20

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EU President Donald Tusk will give a "situational update" on Friday on Brexit, officials said, amid speculation British Prime Minister Theresa May could return to Brussels to seal a Brexit divorce deal.

"President Tusk will make a press statement on Brexit tomorrow at 7:50 am. Further details will follow," the European Council said on Twitter Thursday.

An EU source later told AFP that former Polish premier Tusk was due to fly to Hungary for an awards ceremony on Friday and would give the statement before then.

Tusk will speak one week before a crucial EU summit in Brussels when Britain hopes to unlock the next phase of Brexit talks, focusing on trade and a transition period.

"Less than a week to EUCO (European Council), so Tusk will make a situational update of the Brexit situation in that context, whatever it is tomorrow morning," the source said on condition of anonymity.

The European Commission earlier Thursday set a deadline of Sunday for May to reach a deal on divorce terms so they can be approved by member states in time for the summit, adding that there was "no white smoke" yet from London.

Talks between May and Juncker broke up on Monday without a deal after a pro-British party in Northern Ireland that props up the British leader's government objected to a clause about future arrangements for the Irish border.