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Britain and the European Union have agreed on a draft text establishing close relations after Brexit, although discussions with Spain on the control of Gibraltar remain to be settled before the EU leaders are meeting Sunday to endorse the pact.
Thursday's news boosted sterling by almost 1%, relieving investors that 18 months of tense and tortuous negotiations were paying off, allowing Britain to stay close to its largest market and ensure that nothing would change during a transition period that will last at least by the end of 2020.
"The British want a Brexit settlement, they want an agreement that prepares us for a brighter future," British Prime Minister Theresa May told the Parliament.
"The agreement that will allow us to do this is now within our reach, and in these crucial 72 hours, I will do everything in our power to deliver it to the British people."
Her spokeswoman said she thought she could win a critical vote in parliament on the deal, expected next month, but many of those she needs to persuade do not seem convinced.
Some conservative colleagues in search of a sharper break with the EU have accused of "betraying the Brexit", while the Labor opposition leader, Jeremy Corbyn, has qualified the result of the negotiations of "worse than all the others" to maintain the link between Britain and the vast market of the European Union. its rules.
After a draft treaty set the terms for the departure of Britain in March, the month of May had met Wednesday with the head of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, in the hope of finalizing an ambitious statement on future relationships that could help secure its support for the entire Brexit package. .
But the agreement faces considerable difficulties once it reaches a deeply divided British parliament, with uncompromising eurosceptic and uncompromising factions, fiercely partisan supporters of the EU and various shades of gray.
EU officials said there was a strong consensus that the latest issues should not delay the final deal for Sunday, while the other 27 governments are going through the news paperwork.
The main question mark is whether Spain, which views Brexit as an opportunity to tip the weight of the EU behind its 300-year campaign to claim Gibraltar to Great Britain. Brittany, can be persuaded to stay patient.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez tweeted Thursday night: "After my conversation with Theresa May, our positions are still very far away, and my government will always defend Spain's interests. of change, we will veto Brexit. "
May must meet Juncker again on the eve of the summit on Saturday – in principle to agree that the absolutely final text is ready to be signed by EU leaders.
Spain, France and other EU Member States lobbying for various national interests in this political declaration – a 26-page wish list on future trade links and security, separate from the 585-page withdrawal agreement – Brussels feared that haggling could get out of hand and derail Sunday summit formally choreographed closely from the 27 leaders with May.
While the withdrawal agreement only requires a qualified majority and not unanimity, the EU is still seeking consensus on such sensitive issues.
