The European Union's chief Brexit negotiator warned ministers from the other 27 member states on Monday that no deal has been sealed on Britain's departure from the bloc.

"Michel Barnier explained that intense negotiating efforts continue, but an agreement has not been reached yet," the European Council, which represents the member states, said in a statement.

"Some key issues remain under discussion, in particular a solution to avoid a hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland."

EU ministers voiced caution Monday about the chances of striking a rapid&nbsp;Brexit&nbsp;deal, at the start of another week billed as crucial for an agreement.

Ministers from the other 27 member states were to be briefed by EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier as time runs down before Britain's withdrawal on March 29.

"We have time but not so much," Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders told reporters as he arrived for talks with fellow EU ministers in Brussels.

"It's difficult to make real progress, but before Christmas I'm hoping it's possible," Reynders said, as the EU awaits a "positive signal" from London.

The European Union's chief Brexit negotiator warned ministers from the other 27 member states on Monday that no deal has been sealed on Britain's departure from the bloc.

The European Union's chief Brexit negotiator warned ministers from the other 27 member states on Monday that no deal has been sealed on Britain's departure from the bloc. "Michel Barnier explained that intense negotiating efforts continue, but an agreement has not been reached yet," the European Council, which represents the member states, said in a statement. "Some key issues remain under discussion, in particular a solution to avoid a hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland." EU ministers voiced caution Monday about the chances of striking a rapid Brexit deal, at the start of another week billed as crucial for an agreement. Ministers from the other 27 member states were to be briefed by EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier as time runs down before Britain's withdrawal on March 29. "We have time but not so much," Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders told reporters as he arrived for talks with fellow EU ministers in Brussels. "It's difficult to make real progress, but before Christmas I'm hoping it's possible," Reynders said, as the EU awaits a "positive signal" from London.

EU ministers told no Brexit deal yet: Official

Britain's armed forces are making contingency plans for how they could support the country if Britain leaves the European Union without a deal, senior British defence officials said on Sunday.

Asked what role the armed forces could play if there was a 'no deal' Brexit, British defence minister Tobias Ellwood said: "The armed forces stand ready to support Britain on a practical basis"

"There are contingency plans being made, there are discussions being held behind the scenes as to what support our armed forces will do," Ellwood said on the 'Ridge on Sunday' television programme.

"With the transition from Brexit, if there is a requirement to provide assistance we're looking right across the full spectrum of requirements to make sure that we are prepared."

Earlier, the chief of Britain's defence staff General Sir Nicholas Carter said the armed forces were making "sensible" contingency plans on Brexit and other issues.

Asked if the army was making preparations for a no deal Brexit, Carter said: "What we always do is make sensible contingency plans for all sorts of eventualities .... at this stage, I think people are confident there will be a deal, if there's not one then we stand ready to help in any way we can."

Britain's armed forces are making contingency plans for how they could support the country if Britain leaves the European Union without a deal, senior British defence officials said on Sunday.

Britain's armed forces are making contingency plans for how they could support the country if Britain leaves the European Union without a deal, senior British defence officials said on Sunday. Asked what role the armed forces could play if there was a 'no deal' Brexit, British defence minister Tobias Ellwood said: "The armed forces stand ready to support Britain on a practical basis" "There are contingency plans being made, there are discussions being held behind the scenes as to what support our armed forces will do," Ellwood said on the 'Ridge on Sunday' television programme. "With the transition from Brexit, if there is a requirement to provide assistance we're looking right across the full spectrum of requirements to make sure that we are prepared." Earlier, the chief of Britain's defence staff General Sir Nicholas Carter said the armed forces were making "sensible" contingency plans on Brexit and other issues. Asked if the army was making preparations for a no deal Brexit, Carter said: "What we always do is make sensible contingency plans for all sorts of eventualities .... at this stage, I think people are confident there will be a deal, if there's not one then we stand ready to help in any way we can."

Britain's armed forces making contingency plans for 'no deal' Brexit: Defence officials

Britain would remain in a temporary customs union with the EU, avoiding a hard Irish border, as part of a new deal being thrashed out between London and Brussels, according to a Sunday Times report.

Senior sources told the paper that Prime Minister Theresa May has secured concessions from Brussels, with the EU agreeing to write an "all-UK" customs union into the divorce deal.

This would avoid the EU's "backstop" solution that would have treated Northern Ireland differently from the rest of Britain.

There will be an "exit clause" from the customs union in a bid to convince Brexiteers that it is not a permanent arrangement as May looks to secure enough votes to get the deal through parliament, added the paper.

May's spokesman refused to confirm the report, calling it "speculation", according to Sky News.

The Irish border has proved the biggest obstacle to a deal, with both sides vowing not to reinstate a hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland for fear of destabilising the peace accord that ended decades of deadly sectarian violence.

Under the agreed deal, the EU accepts that regulatory checks on goods can be carried out in factories and shops rather than at the border, the Sunday Times said.

The deal keeps open the possibility of Britain securing a future free trade agreement similar to the one signed between Canada and the EU in 2016.

The opposition Labour party has all but ruled out supporting any deal May reaches with Brussels, leaving the prime minister reliant on her slender parliamentary majority that comprises her own divided MPs and coalition partners the Democratic Unionist Party.

She is expected to warn her most stridently anti-EU MPs that they will be held responsible for the consequences of a no-deal&nbsp;Brexit&nbsp;if they do not vote for her deal.

However, if these Brexiteers are not convinced that the customs union is only a temporary measure they would almost certainly rebel.

Her cabinet is due to hold talks over the plan on Monday, with a potential EU summit pencilled in for the end of November, if they agree enough progress has been made.

Parliament would then vote on the deal in December.

Britain would remain in a temporary customs union with the EU, avoiding a hard Irish border, as part of a new deal being thrashed out between London and Brussels, according to a Sunday Times report.

Britain would remain in a temporary customs union with the EU, avoiding a hard Irish border, as part of a new deal being thrashed out between London and Brussels, according to a Sunday Times report. Senior sources told the paper that Prime Minister Theresa May has secured concessions from Brussels, with the EU agreeing to write an "all-UK" customs union into the divorce deal. This would avoid the EU's "backstop" solution that would have treated Northern Ireland differently from the rest of Britain. There will be an "exit clause" from the customs union in a bid to convince Brexiteers that it is not a permanent arrangement as May looks to secure enough votes to get the deal through parliament, added the paper. May's spokesman refused to confirm the report, calling it "speculation", according to Sky News. The Irish border has proved the biggest obstacle to a deal, with both sides vowing not to reinstate a hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland for fear of destabilising the peace accord that ended decades of deadly sectarian violence. Under the agreed deal, the EU accepts that regulatory checks on goods can be carried out in factories and shops rather than at the border, the Sunday Times said. The deal keeps open the possibility of Britain securing a future free trade agreement similar to the one signed between Canada and the EU in 2016. The opposition Labour party has all but ruled out supporting any deal May reaches with Brussels, leaving the prime minister reliant on her slender parliamentary majority that comprises her own divided MPs and coalition partners the Democratic Unionist Party. She is expected to warn her most stridently anti-EU MPs that they will be held responsible for the consequences of a no-deal Brexit if they do not vote for her deal. However, if these Brexiteers are not convinced that the customs union is only a temporary measure they would almost certainly rebel. Her cabinet is due to hold talks over the plan on Monday, with a potential EU summit pencilled in for the end of November, if they agree enough progress has been made. Parliament would then vote on the deal in December.

UK and EU close to Brexit deal over Irish border: Report

British Prime Minister <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/merkel-says-still-a-chance-for-deal-on-brexit-171948">Theresa May confirmed Thursday</a> she was considering extending the transition period after Brexit for a few months to give time to agree on a new trade deal with the European Union.

"A further idea that has emerged, and it is<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/former-minister-calls-on-uk-cabinet-to-make-may-change-mind-on-brexit-171442"> an idea at this stage, is to create an</a> option to extend the implementation period for a matter of months," she told reporters as she arrived for the second day of EU summit talks in Brussels.

PM Theresa May had made no significant new proposals to unblock Brexit negotiations on Wednesday when she briefed fellow EU leaders, the president of the European Parliament told reporters.

"I have said there is nothing substantially new in the content, but I sense a political will to make headway," said Antonio Tajani, who attended May's address on the first night of a European summit.

Earlier, PM Theresa May had said that a Brexit deal was achievable and "now is the time to make it happen", as she arrived at an EU summit.

"I believe everybody around the table wants to get a deal. By working intensively and closely we can achieve that deal," she told reporters in Brussels.

The EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier had opened the possibility of extending the one-year transition period in an effort to unblock talks stalled on the thorny issue of the Irish border, EU diplomats said speculated earlier.

Barnier told European Affairs Ministers on Wednesday "that one of the options was to extend the transitional phase by one year (to 2021)" in order to gain more time to negotiate trade deal, EU diplomats told AFP.

British Prime Minister Theresa May confirmed Thursday she was considering extending the transition period after Brexit for a few months to give time to agree on a new trade deal with the European Union.

British Prime Minister Theresa May confirmed Thursday she was considering extending the transition period after Brexit for a few months to give time to agree on a new trade deal with the European Union. "A further idea that has emerged, and it is an idea at this stage, is to create an option to extend the implementation period for a matter of months," she told reporters as she arrived for the second day of EU summit talks in Brussels. PM Theresa May had made no significant new proposals to unblock Brexit negotiations on Wednesday when she briefed fellow EU leaders, the president of the European Parliament told reporters. "I have said there is nothing substantially new in the content, but I sense a political will to make headway," said Antonio Tajani, who attended May's address on the first night of a European summit. Earlier, PM Theresa May had said that a Brexit deal was achievable and "now is the time to make it happen", as she arrived at an EU summit. "I believe everybody around the table wants to get a deal. By working intensively and closely we can achieve that deal," she told reporters in Brussels. The EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier had opened the possibility of extending the one-year transition period in an effort to unblock talks stalled on the thorny issue of the Irish border, EU diplomats said speculated earlier. Barnier told European Affairs Ministers on Wednesday "that one of the options was to extend the transitional phase by one year (to 2021)" in order to gain more time to negotiate trade deal, EU diplomats told AFP.

Idea has emerged to extend Brexit implementation period: PM Theresa May

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Wednesday that there was "still a chance" for an accord with Britain to leave the EU but that Berlin was preparing for a no-deal Brexit.

"There is still a chance to achieve a good and sustainable exit accord," Merkel told parliament ahead of a crunch EU summit in Brussels that will focus on Brexit.

"At the same time it is of course part of responsible and forward-looking governance that we prepare for all scenarios. That includes the possibility that Britain will leave the EU without a deal."

British Prime Minister Theresa May told her ministers on Tuesday they would secure a Brexit deal if they stood together, calling for a show of unity to silence those pressing her to rethink her strategy for leaving the European Union.

A day before heading to Brussels for a summit, May is keen to show she has her cabinet's support after facing pressure from some members of her Conservative Party and the EU to change tack on Brexit, Britain's biggest policy shift in more than 40 years.

Merkel&nbsp;said the efforts to find agreement were like "squaring the circle".

Less than six months before Britain is due to leave, the impasse has increased the possibility of a 'no deal' Brexit that could potentially disrupt trade, delay movement of goods and starve the world's fifth largest economy of investment.

May's spokesman said the cabinet had held "a very detailed and thorough discussion" on the border issue, with the team united in rejecting any deal that would split the United Kingdom and might "trap" Britain in the backstop indefinitely.

"The PM said there will no doubt be challenging moments ahead, that is in the nature of negotiations. She said she is committed to securing a Brexit that delivers on the referendum result, safeguards jobs and security, and which preserves our union," her spokesman told reporters.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Wednesday that there was "still a chance" for an accord with Britain to leave the EU but that Berlin was preparing for a no-deal Brexit.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Wednesday that there was "still a chance" for an accord with Britain to leave the EU but that Berlin was preparing for a no-deal Brexit. "There is still a chance to achieve a good and sustainable exit accord," Merkel told parliament ahead of a crunch EU summit in Brussels that will focus on Brexit. "At the same time it is of course part of responsible and forward-looking governance that we prepare for all scenarios. That includes the possibility that Britain will leave the EU without a deal." British Prime Minister Theresa May told her ministers on Tuesday they would secure a Brexit deal if they stood together, calling for a show of unity to silence those pressing her to rethink her strategy for leaving the European Union. A day before heading to Brussels for a summit, May is keen to show she has her cabinet's support after facing pressure from some members of her Conservative Party and the EU to change tack on Brexit, Britain's biggest policy shift in more than 40 years. Merkel said the efforts to find agreement were like "squaring the circle". Less than six months before Britain is due to leave, the impasse has increased the possibility of a 'no deal' Brexit that could potentially disrupt trade, delay movement of goods and starve the world's fifth largest economy of investment. May's spokesman said the cabinet had held "a very detailed and thorough discussion" on the border issue, with the team united in rejecting any deal that would split the United Kingdom and might "trap" Britain in the backstop indefinitely. "The PM said there will no doubt be challenging moments ahead, that is in the nature of negotiations. She said she is committed to securing a Brexit that delivers on the referendum result, safeguards jobs and security, and which preserves our union," her spokesman told reporters.

Merkel says 'still a chance' for deal on Brexit

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Tuesday that Britain had still not expressed a clear position on its post-Brexit relations with the EU, warning that only "six to eight weeks" remained to reach an agreement.

Success in the upcoming negotiations depended "largely on what it is Britain really wants, and on this the discussion has still not been entirely clear", Merkel told a business conference in Berlin.

Merkel reiterated the stance of the remaining 27 EU members that "you can't belong to a single market if you want to stick to just one of its principles but not the other three".

Brussels believes May wants Britain to keep the benefits of free trade on goods with the EU without following its three other core principles, the free movement of people, services and capital over borders.

British Prime Minister Theresa May had hit back Friday at the EU after it roundly rejected her Brexit plan, saying its refusal to compromise was "not acceptable" and warning she was still prepared to walk away from the talks.

May blamed Brussels for the "impasse" just weeks ahead of a deadline to seal a deal -- and six months before Britain leaves the EU in March.

The EU summit in Salzburg had also raised the stakes by putting on ice a special summit planned for November to seal a deal, saying it would only happen if there is progress next month.

Merkel said the November special summit would "probably" take place but warned that "six to eight weeks of intense work lie ahead in which we have to make political decisions".

Progress could be achieved in October, she said, but added that any proposal should "formulate in the most concrete terms possible" what future relations should look like.

Otherwise, warned the chancellor, "the transition period could become too short to reach any kind of reasonable agreement".

May's government faces heightening pressure as it lacks a stable majority in parliament and could face defeat by MPs if and when it brings a final deal with Brussels for a vote.

Critics of May's Brexit proposal have launched a "Save Brexit Campaign" to push for a clean break with the EU.

Polls show the country is still more or less divided on Brexit, although a narrow majority might now support staying in the EU.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Tuesday that Britain had still not expressed a clear position on its post-Brexit relations with the EU, warning that only "six to eight weeks" remained to reach an agreement.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Tuesday that Britain had still not expressed a clear position on its post-Brexit relations with the EU, warning that only "six to eight weeks" remained to reach an agreement. Success in the upcoming negotiations depended "largely on what it is Britain really wants, and on this the discussion has still not been entirely clear", Merkel told a business conference in Berlin. Merkel reiterated the stance of the remaining 27 EU members that "you can't belong to a single market if you want to stick to just one of its principles but not the other three". Brussels believes May wants Britain to keep the benefits of free trade on goods with the EU without following its three other core principles, the free movement of people, services and capital over borders. British Prime Minister Theresa May had hit back Friday at the EU after it roundly rejected her Brexit plan, saying its refusal to compromise was "not acceptable" and warning she was still prepared to walk away from the talks. May blamed Brussels for the "impasse" just weeks ahead of a deadline to seal a deal -- and six months before Britain leaves the EU in March. The EU summit in Salzburg had also raised the stakes by putting on ice a special summit planned for November to seal a deal, saying it would only happen if there is progress next month. Merkel said the November special summit would "probably" take place but warned that "six to eight weeks of intense work lie ahead in which we have to make political decisions". Progress could be achieved in October, she said, but added that any proposal should "formulate in the most concrete terms possible" what future relations should look like. Otherwise, warned the chancellor, "the transition period could become too short to reach any kind of reasonable agreement". May's government faces heightening pressure as it lacks a stable majority in parliament and could face defeat by MPs if and when it brings a final deal with Brussels for a vote. Critics of May's Brexit proposal have launched a "Save Brexit Campaign" to push for a clean break with the EU. Polls show the country is still more or less divided on Brexit, although a narrow majority might now support staying in the EU.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel says still unclear what Britain wants in Brexit talks

After Britain voted to leave the European Union, the next hours, days and weeks will be crucial for the future of the bloc. 
 
Here are the next steps after &quot;Brexit&quot;: 
 
SAVE THE MARKETS 
 
With the stability of the global economy at risk, early Friday the European Central Bank is widely expected to make a statement to reassure markets. 
 
TOP EU OFFICIALS REACT 
 
The EU&#39;s top officials meet in Brussels at 0830 GMT on Friday. 
 
EU President Donald Tusk, European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker, European Parliament head Martin Schulz and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, whose country holds the six-month EU presidency, are expected to make a statement and address the press at around 1000 GMT. 
 
MINISTERS TACKLE BREXIT 
 
The EU&#39;s 28 European Affairs Ministers meet in Luxembourg to lay the groundwork for Brexit talks at the EU summit on June 28-29. Talks start at 1230 GMT. 
 
GERMAN SOLUTIONS 
 
Foreign ministers from the EU&#39;s six founding countries -- France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg -- are expected to meet on Saturday in Berlin, according to European sources. 
 
French President Francois Hollande will meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel next week to discuss &quot;European initiatives&quot;, expected on Monday. 
 
FRANCO-GERMAN INITIATIVE 
 
The Merkel Hollande meet-up could be the occasion to announce plans for a long-rumoured Franco-German initiative on a better-integrated defence and security strategy for Europe. 
 
The leaders are seeking to use the plan to dispel doubts on the EU project unleashed by the British vote campaign. 
 
BRUSSELS ACTS 
 
On Monday the European Commission&#39;s top officials, who are nominated by the EU&#39;s 28 member states, begin mapping out the long road to an official Brexit at an extraordinary meeting in Brussels. 
 
MEPs have also called for an extraordinary session of the European Parliament to be held in Brussels on Monday in the case of a Brexit vote. 
 
THE &#39;BREXIT&#39; SUMMIT 
 
The 28 EU leaders -- still including British Prime Minister David Cameron -- meet on June 28 and 29 in Brussels to digest and debate the results of Thursday&#39;s Leave vote. 
 
It was originally due to be held on June 23 but was postponed after the British referendum date was announced. 
 
Cameron may trigger Article 50 of the EU&#39;s Lisbon Treaty, officially notifying EU leaders of Britain&#39;s intention to leave. 
 
ENTER SLOVAKIA 
 
On July 1st, the Netherlands hands over the EU&#39;s six-month rotating presidency to the relatively inexperienced Slovakia, which now must lead the negotiations towards Brexit. 
 
Britain had been due to take the helm at the end of 2017 but will now give that up. 
 
CRUEL SUMMER 
 
EU civil servants delay summer holidays to begin the painstaking legal work to bring about Brexit. The official British divorce from Europe would take at least two years. 
 
But EU president Donald Tusk has warned that the whole process of negotiating trade and immigration deals with a non-EU Britain could take seven years in all.

European Central Bank is widely expected to make a statement to reassure markets early Friday

After Britain voted to leave the European Union, the next hours, days and weeks will be crucial for the future of the bloc. Here are the next steps after "Brexit": SAVE THE MARKETS With the stability of the global economy at risk, early Friday the European Central Bank is widely expected to make a statement to reassure markets. TOP EU OFFICIALS REACT The EU's top officials meet in Brussels at 0830 GMT on Friday. EU President Donald Tusk, European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker, European Parliament head Martin Schulz and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, whose country holds the six-month EU presidency, are expected to make a statement and address the press at around 1000 GMT. MINISTERS TACKLE BREXIT The EU's 28 European Affairs Ministers meet in Luxembourg to lay the groundwork for Brexit talks at the EU summit on June 28-29. Talks start at 1230 GMT. GERMAN SOLUTIONS Foreign ministers from the EU's six founding countries -- France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg -- are expected to meet on Saturday in Berlin, according to European sources. French President Francois Hollande will meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel next week to discuss "European initiatives", expected on Monday. FRANCO-GERMAN INITIATIVE The Merkel Hollande meet-up could be the occasion to announce plans for a long-rumoured Franco-German initiative on a better-integrated defence and security strategy for Europe. The leaders are seeking to use the plan to dispel doubts on the EU project unleashed by the British vote campaign. BRUSSELS ACTS On Monday the European Commission's top officials, who are nominated by the EU's 28 member states, begin mapping out the long road to an official Brexit at an extraordinary meeting in Brussels. MEPs have also called for an extraordinary session of the European Parliament to be held in Brussels on Monday in the case of a Brexit vote. THE 'BREXIT' SUMMIT The 28 EU leaders -- still including British Prime Minister David Cameron -- meet on June 28 and 29 in Brussels to digest and debate the results of Thursday's Leave vote. It was originally due to be held on June 23 but was postponed after the British referendum date was announced. Cameron may trigger Article 50 of the EU's Lisbon Treaty, officially notifying EU leaders of Britain's intention to leave. ENTER SLOVAKIA On July 1st, the Netherlands hands over the EU's six-month rotating presidency to the relatively inexperienced Slovakia, which now must lead the negotiations towards Brexit. Britain had been due to take the helm at the end of 2017 but will now give that up. CRUEL SUMMER EU civil servants delay summer holidays to begin the painstaking legal work to bring about Brexit. The official British divorce from Europe would take at least two years. But EU president Donald Tusk has warned that the whole process of negotiating trade and immigration deals with a non-EU Britain could take seven years in all.

After Brexit: Steps forward for EU

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