May, Juncker agree to step up Brexit talks

The British prime minister and European Commission president have agreed to step up the pace of Brexit talks over a "friendly" dinner in Brussels.

British Prime Minister Theresa May and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker have agreed over dinner in Brussels that the pace of Brexit negotiations should be stepped up in the coming months.

Describing the meeting that lasted around two hours as "constructive and friendly", a joint statement said they had "reviewed the progress made in the Article 50 negotiations so far and agreed that these efforts should accelerate over the months to come".

May capped a day of diplomacy by dining with Juncker at EU headquarters on Monday.

EU and UK officials have exchanged some spiteful words in recent weeks over the pace and substance of the negotiations.

The British government wants to start discussing the country's post-departure relationship with the EU.

The EU has maintained there has been insufficient progress on such issues as the rights of EU citizens already living in Britain.


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Source: AAP



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