Eu Agrees To Move Brexit Talks To Second Phase

EU leaders have agreed to move Brexit negotiations to the second phase, European Council President Donald Tusk said Friday.



"EU leaders agree to move on to the second phase of #Brexit talks," Tusk tweeted, also expressing his congratulations to British Prime Minister Theresa May.



The announcement by Tusk came ahead of a joint press conference with Jean-Claude Juncker set for 12: 30 GMT to announce developments in the divorce talks between Britain and the bloc.



The second phase of negotiations will focus on future trade relations between the parties.



A deal was reached between the U.K. and the bloc last week to move the talks forward after agreement came on financial settlement, citizens' rights, and the Irish border -- three key issues in the first phase.



The U.K. is set to leave the bloc in March 2019, ending its 44-year long membership. -