1st LD: Britain, EU reach crucial deal to open next phase of Brexit talks

BRUSSELS, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- The European Commission has found sufficient progress in the first phase of the Brexit talks and will recommend to the European Council to open the second phase, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said Friday.

He made the remarks during a joint press conference with British Prime Minister Theresa May who arrived in Brussels before dawn for her second meeting in a week with him to secure a deal for Britain's divorce from the bloc.

"If the 27 member states agree with our assessment, the European Commission and our Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier stand ready to begin work on the second phase of the negotiations immediately. I will continue to keep the European Parliament very closely involved throughout the process, as the European Parliament will have to ratify the final Withdrawal Agreement," said Juncker.

The Commission's negotiator has ensured that the life choices made by EU citizens living in Britain will be protected. The rights of European Union (EU) citizens living in Britain and British citizens in the EU27 will remain the same after Britain leaves the EU, said the Commission in a statement after the conference.

The EU governing body has also made sure that any administrative procedures will be cheap and simple for EU citizens in Britain, said the statement.

Meanwhile, regarding the financial settlement, Britain has agreed that commitments taken by the EU28 will be honored by the EU28, including Britain, said the statement.

Britain also acknowledges the "unique situation" on the island of Ireland and May said there will be "no hard border" between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland after Brexit, while retaining the "economic integrity of the United Kingdom." Enditem