2nd 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.

"This is a difficult negotiation but we have now made a first breakthrough. I am satisfied with the fair deal we have reached with the United Kingdom. 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," said Juncker.

For his part, Barnier said, "The Commission's assessment is based on the real, genuine progress made in each of our three priority areas. By agreeing on these issues, and settling the past, we can now move forward and discuss our future relationship on the basis of trust and confidence."

According to a statement issued by the Commission after the conference, 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.

The Commission 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."

Friday marked the final deadline given by Juncker after failed efforts on Monday to secure "sufficient progress" necessary to open the 2nd phase of Brexit talks.

May, who arrived here very early in the morning on a chilly day, looked more relaxed compared with her appearance before the media after her discussions with Juncker on Monday.

"Friday's deal is in the best interest of the UK, and I very much welcomed the prospect of moving ahead to the next phase, to discuss trade and security and a positive and ambitious future relationship."

"EU citizens living in the UK will get their rights enshrined in UK law and enforced by British courts. They will be able to go on living their lives as before," she said when commenting on the issues of citizens' rights.

As to the divorce bill, May reaffirmed that Britain will continue to honor its obligations and after tough negotiations "we now agreed on settlement that is fair to British taxpayers," without giving the specific figure.

On the Northern Ireland border, May said: "We will guarantee there will be no hard border and we will uphold the Belfast Agreement," adding that "in doing so we will continue to preserve the constitutional and economic integrity of the United Kingdom" .

Divergences between May and her Northern Ireland ally, the Democratic Unionist Party, derailed May's Monday trip to Brussels, as the party declared "any form of regulatory divergence" separating Northern Ireland from the mainland was unacceptable.

The Friday deal is expected to ease some of the pressure facing May, for some time at least, said political commentators, who observed that the cheering mode may not last long as Donald Tusk, president of the European Council, warned that "the easiest part has been over. Here comes the tougher part." Enditem