EUROPEAN Union leaders voiced support for embattled British Prime Minister Theresa May at a summit yesterday but warned there was work to do on the next phase of Brexit talks.

Her 27 colleagues applauded her after she addressed them over dinner, a day after a parliamentary defeat over her Brexit strategy in which members of her own party rebelled.

The rest of the EU leaders are expected to open the next phase of Brexit talks at the summit today, which will focus on a transition period and future trade ties.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel praised the interim deal Britain struck with the EU a week ago on making “sufficient progress” on key divorce issues including the exit bill, the Irish border and expatriates’ rights.

“Theresa May has made good offers that imply that the 27 will see sufficient progress tomorrow. But there remain many issues to be solved and we don’t have much time,” Merkel said.

May told reporters as she left that “we’ve had very good discussions. I’m looking forward to discussions on the future trade relationship and security relationship”.

A British official said May was “clear about wanting to move onto trade talks as quickly as possible” when she spoke to the other leaders, telling them she wanted to approach the next phase with “ambition and creativity”. – AFP, December 15, 2017.