Brexit clarity possible in next few hours
Tusk says in theory deal can be accepted on Thursday
Tusk says in theory deal can be accepted on Thursday. PHOTO: AFP
WARSAW:
European Council President Donald Tusk said on Wednesday it should be known in seven or eight hours when Brexit could happen and in theory a deal could be accepted on Thursday.
Talks are under way which will decide if an agreement can be reached that would allow Britain to leave the European Union with a deal on its scheduled departure date of October 31.
"Theoretically in seven to eight hours everything should be clear," he told journalists in comments broadcast on private news channel TVN 24.
"It is still undergoing changes and the basic foundations of this agreement are ready and theoretically we could accept a deal tomorrow," Tusk said.
"Yesterday evening, I was ready to bet on it...today again certain doubts have appeared from the British side."
Earlier on Wednesday, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said that negotiations had so far failed to resolve issues standing in the way of an amicable Brexit, with EU sources reporting a standstill.
"Everything is going in the right direction, but you will have noticed yourselves that with Brexit and above all with our British partners anything is possible," Tusk said.
On Tuesday, EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said that a deal with Britain could be reached this week but warned more tough talks were still needed.
British and EU officials are racing to reach a deal on Britain's exit terms before a summit of EU leaders starting on Thursday.
"This work has been intense all along the weekend and yesterday because even if the agreement will be difficult - more and more difficult to be frank - it's still possible this week," Barnier told reporters.
European Council President Donald Tusk said on Wednesday it should be known in seven or eight hours when Brexit could happen and in theory a deal could be accepted on Thursday.
Talks are under way which will decide if an agreement can be reached that would allow Britain to leave the European Union with a deal on its scheduled departure date of October 31.
"Theoretically in seven to eight hours everything should be clear," he told journalists in comments broadcast on private news channel TVN 24.
"It is still undergoing changes and the basic foundations of this agreement are ready and theoretically we could accept a deal tomorrow," Tusk said.
"Yesterday evening, I was ready to bet on it...today again certain doubts have appeared from the British side."
Earlier on Wednesday, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said that negotiations had so far failed to resolve issues standing in the way of an amicable Brexit, with EU sources reporting a standstill.
"Everything is going in the right direction, but you will have noticed yourselves that with Brexit and above all with our British partners anything is possible," Tusk said.
On Tuesday, EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said that a deal with Britain could be reached this week but warned more tough talks were still needed.
British and EU officials are racing to reach a deal on Britain's exit terms before a summit of EU leaders starting on Thursday.
"This work has been intense all along the weekend and yesterday because even if the agreement will be difficult - more and more difficult to be frank - it's still possible this week," Barnier told reporters.