Brexit deal may be delayed beyond October target as talks resume – diplomats

21 Aug, 2018 12:15 / Updated 6 years ago

EU leaders are likely to have to hold an emergency summit in November to consider any Brexit agreement struck with Britain, missing an informal deadline set for the previous month, Reuters reported, citing diplomats in Brussels. Talks on the divorce deal resume after the summer break on Tuesday, but expectations that they can be wrapped up for a regular EU summit in October are fading. Some diplomats say the process could even slip into December, leaving little time for ratification of an agreement before Britain becomes the first country ever to leave the bloc in March 2019. The October 18-19 summit of EU leaders has been cast as the make-or-break moment for a Brexit deal, leaving enough time for the elaborate ratification process by EU member states and the European Parliament.