Below are key takeaways from the statement delivered by President Donald Tusk after the European Council meetings on 17 and 18 October 2018.
- EU27 confirmed that we want to continue the talks in a positive spirit.
- Leaders expressed their full trust in Michel Barnier, and asked our negotiator to continue efforts to achieve an agreement.
- We should be clear that, as for now, not enough progress has been made.
- The issue of the length of the transition period was not discussed among the EU27 leaders yesterday.
- But let me recall that in her Florence speech in September 2017, Prime Minister May proposed a transition period of around 2 years.
- The EU accepted this proposal unanimously.
- Therefore, if the UK decided that an extension of the transition period would be helpful to reach a deal, I am sure that the leaders would be ready to consider it positively.
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