Scotland's first minister Nicola Sturgeon
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she could not expect her Scottish National Party (SNP) lawmakers to vote for any likely current format of a Brexit deal when it is put before parliament.
Sturgeon told the BBC she expected British Prime Minister Theresa May to reach a "cobbled-together" deal to leave the European Union which parliament would be expected to rubber stamp with no details. Such an outcome would be unacceptable, she said.
European Council President Donald Tusk said on Saturday it was possible to agree a deal with Britain on leaving the European Union by the end of 2018.Speaking on the sidelines of a conference in Krakow, Poland, Tusk said: "We will try for it in October ... and I think there is a chance to have an accord by the end of the year." EU's Juncker confident of Brexit accord, no-deal not an option
EU's Tusk says Brexit deal possible by end of 2018
The European Union will reach a deal with Britain on Brexit in November if it does not do so this month, European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker told Austrian newspapers.Juncker, whose optimism was echoed in comments on Saturday by European Council President Donald Tusk, said that the potential for a rapprochement had grown in the last few days, confirming what diplomatic sources have told Reuters.EU Brexit negotiators believe a deal with Britain on leaving the bloc is "very close", the sources told Reuters, in a sign a compromise on the most contentious issue - the future Irish border - might be in the making, although details were scarce."We are not there yet. But our will to reach an understanding with the British government is unbroken," Juncker was quoted as saying by Der Standard and Kurier and Der Falter.Tariff deal with US not yet even in 'pre-work' stage: EU trade chiefOn Friday, EU Brexit negotiators told ambassadors of the 27 states remaining in the bloc that there was no breakthrough on the Irish issue and much would depend on what their British counterparts bring to Brussels next week."We have to get away from this no-deal scenario. It wouldn’t be good for Britain or for the rest of the (European) Union," Juncker was quoted as saying.Britain and the EU are trying to push for the divorce deal, as well as an agreement on post-Brexit relations, in time for two leaders' summits scheduled for Oct. 17-18 and Nov. 17-18."My assumption is that we will reach an accord which will achieve the conditions of the withdrawal treaty," Juncker said, adding that it was not possible to predict whether there will be a conclusion to the Brexit negotiations in October."If not, then we will do it in November."Juncker urges EU member states to talk with one voiceTusk also said it was possible to agree a deal with Britain on leaving the European Union by the end of 2018."I have hope close to certainty that we will manage to reach an agreement both on exit and on best possible future relations ... I hope that it will be possible to avoid major losses on both sides," he said on the sidelines of a conference in Krakow, Poland."We will try for it in October ... and I think there is a chance to have an accord by the end of the year," he added.Juncker told the Austrian papers that a political declaration on future relations between Britain and its former European partners was needed to accompany the Brexit deal."You can't absolutely keep separate the withdrawal treaty and the declaration of the future relationship between the United Kingdom and Europe," he said.ITALIAN BUDGETApart from Brexit, one of the biggest headaches facing European Union leaders is the approach of Italy's new government to its public finances.Asked about Italy's recent budget plans, Juncker said it was up to Italian policymakers to find rules and measures that will allow Italy to remain within agreed budgetary targets."We will assess the Italian budget ... and propose changes if necessary," he added.The Italian government this week unveiled the core of its expansionary multi-year budget plan, raising the target for the fiscal deficit to 2.4 percent of gross domestic product in 2019.The deficit is projected to ease gradually in the next two years to 2.1 percent and then 1.8 percent, while remaining far above targets previously agreed with the European Commission.The targets are a "source of serious concern", the European Commission said in a letter to Italy's Economy Minister Giovanni Tria which called on Rome to ensure that the budget will be "in compliance with the common fiscal rules".
EU's Juncker confident of Brexit accord, no-deal not an option
Britain signed a military cooperation agreement with Germany on Friday, emphasising London's commitment to helping shield Europe from future security threats at a time when negotiations over its exit from the EU are reaching a crunch.One of the British government's strongest cards in Brexit negotiations is the expectation that, as the EU country with the highest defence spending, it will continue to play a central role in European security after it leaves the bloc.Britain's military capabilities easily dwarf those of any other EU member state apart from France. It also has diplomatic and intelligence services that are among Europe's best resourced and most capable."We will further strengthen the European pillar in NATO, contribute to European security and improve Europe's resilience to security threats," Britain and Germany said in a document which did not mention Brexit.Germany accuses Russia of committing cyber-attacksBritish Defence Minister Gavin Williamson and his German counterpart Ursula von der Leyen signed the agreement at a British army barracks in the western German town of Sennelager."We are determined to deepen and strengthen our relationship in order to achieve our common defence and security goals," the agreement said. Naval, land and air forces would work closely together and there would be cooperation in defence procurement.Prime Minister Theresa May has vowed to maintain Britain's commitment to protecting Europe after Brexit. She has accused Russia of fomenting violence in eastern Ukraine, of repeatedly violating the national airspace of several European countries, and mounting a campaign of cyber attacks.Russia is also blamed for hacking attacks in several European countries, including the Danish defence ministry and the German parliament.The European Union and Britain are trying to finalise a deal setting out their relationship after March 29, when Britain is expected to leave the bloc. Sources told Reuters that the EU's Brexit negotiators told national diplomats in Brussels late on Thursday that a divorce deal with Britain was "very close".Merkel offers qualified support for 'Jewish state'
Germany, Britain sign defence cooperation agreement amid Brexit talks