British Prime Minister Theresa May arrived in Brussels where she was greeted by the European Commission’s President Jean Claude Juncker.
Mrs May met the president of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, and Mr Tusk for talks on Saturday evening.
On Sunday, EU leaders will meet for the special Brexit summit to approve two key Brexit documents:
The political declaration, which sets out what the UK and EU’s relationship may be like after Brexit – outlining how things like UK-EU trade and security will work.
The EU withdrawal agreement: a 585-page, legally binding document setting out the terms of the UK’s exit from the EU.
There is no formal vote on Sunday but the EU expects to proceed after reaching a consensus.
The European Council President Donald Tusk has sent the formal invitation for Sunday’s EU special summit to formalise the outcome of the Brexit negotiations. The letter was delayed in view of the Gibraltar issue, which however now has been solved.
In the formal letter, the EU Council President said that the EU negotiator has achieved the objectives set at the start of the negotiations process and the Withdrawal Agreement ensures that the rights of our citizens are fully protected, the peace process in Northern Ireland should not be affected, the UK will continue its payments to the EU budget during the transition period and legal certainty will be secured.
“Our negotiator has thereby managed to reduce the risks and losses resulting from the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union.”
The Political Declaration sets the direction as regards the future relations.
We intend to work resolutely towards building the best possible relationship with the UK after Brexit, as friends and partners.
During these negotiations, no-one wanted to defeat anyone. We were all looking for a good and fair agreement. And I believe that we have finally found the best possible compromise.
He added that although no-one will have reasons to be happy on that day, there is one thing I would like to stress: at this critical time, the EU27 has passed the test of unity and solidarity.
