IANS | 16 Oct, 2017
UK Prime Minister Theresa May left for Brussels on Monday to hold talks
with members of the European Commission in order to advance Brexit
negotiations, Downing Street said.
May would attend a working
dinner with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and the
European Union's (EU) Brexit Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier, reports
Efe news.
May would be accompanied by Secretary of State for
Exiting the EU David Davis and is scheduled to meet other heads of state
before the EU leaders' summit on Friday.
The UK aims to persuade the other 27 members to authorise Barnier to initiate the second phase of negotiations.
However,
Barnier said last week that he could not recommend progressing to the
second phase since there had not been sufficient progress in the first
phase.
Phase one involves the future rights of EU and UK
citizens, the border with Ireland, and how much London should pay to
settle pending financial commitments to the EU.
After losing an
absolute majority in parliament in the June election, May's
administration is divided internally on the focus of the talks.
This
has led to speculation over possible resignations or a restructuring of
the government, while the possibility of another General Election has
not been ruled out should negotiations with the EU yield no progress.
