Special Brexit summit in November
European Union leaders meeting in Salzburg have agreed to a special summit in November to finalise a Brexit deal with Britain, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said yesterday.
"There will indeed be a special summit in November, and the states and heads of government will support that," he told reporters in the Austrian city.
Brussels originally said it wanted an agreement on Britain's withdrawal from the European Union by a formal EU summit in October.
But after months of deadlock in the talks, EU President Donald Tusk had proposed an extraordinary summit in mid-November to clinch the deal.
British Prime Minister Theresa May attended the talks in Salzburg but will leave the other 27 EU leaders yesterday at lunchtime while they plan their approach to the final stage of negotiations.
Meanwhile, Malta's prime minister yesterday signalled unexpected support from EU leaders for a second referendum on Brexit in Britain, boosting a growing campaign for a new poll despite the British government's trenchant opposition.
Speaking to BBC radio on the sidelines of an informal European Union summit in Salzburg, Joseph Muscat said there was "almost unanimous" backing among its leaders for a vote.
"We would like the almost impossible to happen, that the UK has another referendum," Muscat said.
"I think most of us would welcome a situation where there is the possibility of the British people putting things into perspective, seeing what has been negotiated, seeing the options, and then deciding once and for all."
EU Council President Donald Tusk has previously said "our door remains open" if Britain changes its mind about leaving the bloc.
May reiterated her position in a speech to EU leaders in Salzburg on Wednesday. She said second Brexit referendum is not an option.
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