European Council President Donald Tusk said on Thursday that the European Union was ready for a final deal on Britain’s withdrawal from the EU despite the wave of resignations from the UK Government following the publication of the draft Brexit agreement. “All I can say is that the EU is prepared for a final deal with the United Kingdom in November,” he said at a press conference in Brussels held in the aftermath of the resignations. “We are also prepared for a no-deal scenario, but of course, we are best prepared for a no-Brexit scenario.”
Earlier on Thursday, Tusk announced that the Council, which brings together EU Heads of State and Government, would hold a summit on Sunday with a view to adopting the draft agreement on Brexit worked out by negotiators representing both sides.
“If nothing extraordinary happens, we will hold a European Council meeting in order to finalise and formalise the Brexit agreement,” he said on making the announcement. “It will take place on Sunday the 25th of November.”
In the meantime, the Government of British Prime Minister Theresa May has been hit by four resignations, including that of Brexit Minister Dominic Raab.
Speaking in Parliament on Thursday morning, May warned of the choice awaiting the United Kingdom. “We can choose to leave with no deal, we can risk no Brexit at all or we can choose to unite and support the best deal that can be negotiated, this deal,” she said.
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The Brussels Times
