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Tusk says no guarantee of EU deal with Britain at upcoming summit

Xinhua, February 18, 2016 Adjust font size:

European Council President Donald Tusk here on Wednesday said that there was still no guarantee that an agreement on European Union (EU) reforms to seek Britain to remain in the bloc could be reached at the upcoming summit.

"We differ on some political issues and I am fully aware that it will be difficult to overcome them. Therefore I urge you to remain constructive," said Tusk in the invitation letter to the 28 member states' leaders to attend the EU summit slated for Feb. 18-19.

"It would be a defeat both for the UK and the European Union, but a geopolitical victory for those who seek to divide us," he said.

"The objective has been clear from the start: to reach a legally binding and irreversible agreement which addresses UK concerns, while being satisfactory to all. At the same time we will not undermine our fundamental values. It is my goal to do the deal this week," he said.

Concerning the summit agenda, he noted that after the traditional exchange of views with the President of the European Parliament, and the family photo, leaders will address the UK issue at the first working session on Thursday afternoon. This will be an opportunity for all members to state their positions and voice their concerns. Given that they are talking about a legally binding agreement, they will need time to assess all the necessary changes overnight and revert to the issue on Friday morning.

"The negotiations are very advanced and we must make use of the momentum. There will not be a better time for a compromise. It is our unity that gives us strength and we must not lose this," he said in the letter. Endit