MNI: Florence Speech Helpful, Need More From UK On Brexit - EU

     LONDON (MNI) - European Union leaders offered gentle encouragement for the

tone of UK Prime Minister Theresa May's Florence speech at a Brussels summit,

but said more needed to be done.

     German Chancellor Angela Merkel said at a press briefing in that small

hours of Friday morning that the Brexit speech in Italy had been "helpful", but

added that EU member states still "need clarity".

     This week's European Council summit had initially been billed as a possible

starting point for second-round parallel negotiations on a future relationship

to begin. But as the weeks have ticked on, it has become clear that "sufficient

progress" is yet to be achieved in first-round Brexit talks.

     May reportedly made a pitch to EU leaders over dinner Thursday to help her

come to a deal she can "defend" back home. But the concern for remaining member

states remains progress in three key areas: Ireland, citizens' rights, and -

above all - the divorce bill.

     European Parliament President Antonio Tajani earlier in the week called

Britain's E20bln offer to settle the divorce bill "peanuts".

     "We heard the tone of May's Florence speech, but we're waiting to see it

transformed into practical deeds," Tajani added Thursday.

     Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, backed by his newly-formed government

after seven months of coalition talks, reflected the sentiments of many of the

leaders: when asked if it was above all a question of the money in Brexit talks,

he told journalists: "particularly".

     The summit continues Friday with talks in the EU27 format about Brexit,

with the UK absent.

--MNI London Bureau; tel: +44 203-586-2225; email: les.commons@marketnews.com

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