The EU and UK are on track to agree on a post-Brexit transition period and pave the way for talks on the future relationship. But major gaps remain on other issues, particularly the Irish border.
At a summit next week, they will sidestep those differences and bank the progress made on transition, citizens’ rights and the financial settlement, set out in agonising detail in a 120-page draft withdrawal treaty that was officially handed over the to the UK on Thursday (see EUROPE 11971).