- Manfred Weber MEP doubts talks will progress by December.
- Theresa May hopes to have shown "sufficient progress" by then.
- This would allow talks to move from divorce to the future.
- Weber, an ally of Angela Merkel, poured cold water on that possibility.
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The EU is preparing to delay the next stage of Brexit negotiations
The prominent MEP said Brexit talks will likely remain stuck on phase one until 2018.
LONDON — Brexit talks are unlikely to move onto the future relationship before 2018, a prominent European Parliamentarian and ally of Angela Merkel said on Tuesday morning.
In a blow to Theresa May and Brexit Secretary David Davis, German MEP Manfred Weber told journalists: "In December, it doesn't look like negotiations are going to move onto the second phase to talk about the future."
The British side hopes that "sufficient progress" will be made on the issues of citizens' rights, the Irish border and Britain's financial obligations in order for talks to move onto future UK-EU relations in December.
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Weber poured cold water on Britain's hopes of talks progressing next month ahead of a meeting with Prime Minister May at Downing Street on Wednesday.
Earlier this morning, the EU Parliament's chief Brexit negotiator, Guy Verhofstadt, reiterated that the Parliament would not accept any Brexit deal that doesn't guarantee EU citizens in the UK and UK citizens in the EU the rights they currently enjoy.
The Parliament's aim is "giving
The EU Parliament will vote to either accept or reject any final deal at the end of the Article 50 process.
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