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Both May and Juncker are confident that a deal can be reached this week on the three divorce issues (citizens' rights, financial settlement, and the Irish border), after meeting on Monday 4 December.Picture credit: EC audiovisual service 

There were still 2 or 3 issues for discussion, which would continue this week. However, Juncker said there was a common understanding on most issues.

Speaking on Monday 4 December, Juncker stated:

“We were narrowing down our positions to a huge extent today”

The British prime minister Theresa May stated that they had “worked hard and in good faith”, and that it was clear both sides wanted to move forward. She added that some issues will require further negotiations and consultations”.

Theresa May was “confident” these negotiations would conclude positively, while Juncker stated that “this is not a failure; it is the start of the very last round, and I am very confident that we reach an agreement within this week.”

The next European Council on 13-14 December will decide whether sufficient progress has been achieved on the three issues (financial settlement, citizens' rights, the Irish border) so that talks can start on a future EU-UK trade deal.