Britain & EU agree on draft text setting out a close post-Brexit relationship

Britain and the European Union have agreed on a draft text setting out a close post-Brexit relationship. However, wrangling with Spain over control of Gibraltar must still be settled before EU leaders meet on Sunday in order to rubber-stamp the pact. 

British Prime Minister Theresa May told parliament that people want Brexit to be settled. They want a good deal that sets us on a course for a brighter future. She said, the deal that will enable Britain to do this is now within their grasp.

    

Meanwhile, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro  Sanchez has said that Spain will



proceed with its promise to vote down the provisional UK-EU agreement on the UK withdrawal from the bloc at the upcoming meeting of EU-27 leaders unless Madrid's interests are taken into account in the document.

Madrid has been threatening to veto the deal unless it is amended to incorporate provisions for direct UK-Spanish talks on the issue of the disputed Gibraltar Peninsula. 

On Wednesday, Sanchez held talks with UK Prime Minister Theresa May, after which she expressed confidence that the Brexit deal would be endorsed at the Sunday meeting.