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REPEAT: MNI: May Brexit Speech Helpful, Need More From UK - EU

MNI (London)
Repeats Story Initially Transmitted at 03:43 GMT Oct 20/23:43 EST Oct 19
     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
MNI London Bureau | +44 203-865-3812 | les.commons@marketnews.com
MNI London Bureau | +44 203-865-3812 | les.commons@marketnews.com

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