There is still a possibility that Britain will exit the European Union without any conditions agreed, European Council President Donald Tusk warned in a letter to European leaders, who will be meeting in Salzburg on Wednesday and Thursday.
Tusk emphasized that the United Kingdom and the European Union were entering "final weeks of negotiations," as there were only six months left before Brexit.
"We will discuss how to organize the final phase of the Brexit talks, including the possibility of calling another European Council in November," Tusk said.
He underscored the sides’ shared interest to limit the damage caused by Brexit.
"Let me recall that limiting the damage caused by Brexit is our shared interest. Unfortunately, a no deal scenario is still quite possible. But if we all act responsibly, we can avoid a catastrophe," Tusk noted.
On September 10, EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said that Brussels and London need to agree on the terms of their divorce well before this year is out, so that they can be ratified by both sides.
He also said that the Brexit deadline could be extended to November from October, as earlier agreed.
With the Brexit deadline now less than 200 days away, the two sides remain divided on a number of issues, including the Irish border and customs arrangements.
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Future relations are to be based on a free-trade deal and special agreements in areas including aerospace and security.
Once it’s signed, the agreement will need approval by the British Parliament, there has to be a ratification process within the European Union and it has to be approved by the European Parliament.
