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Media Speculates EU, UK Negotiators Reach Brexit Divorce Deal

© REUTERS / Clodagh KilcoyneA Brexit sign is seen between Donegal in the Republic of Ireland and Londonderry in Northern Ireland at the border village of Muff, Ireland, February 1, 2018. Picture taken February 1, 2018.
A Brexit sign is seen between Donegal in the Republic of Ireland and Londonderry in Northern Ireland at the border village of Muff, Ireland, February 1, 2018. Picture taken February 1, 2018. - Sputnik International
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Brexit negotiators reached deal on leaving EU, Politico reported Sunday, citing three EU officials.

Three senior EU officials requesting the media to maintain their anonymity have informed Reuters that an agreement on the Brexit conditions has been reached; however, other speakers aware of the negotiation procedure have dismissed the comments and announced that talks are still ongoing, adding that the deal was unlikely to be reached on Sunday.

READ MORE: UK GDP Growth Speeds Up to Quickest Rate Since February 2017 Despite Brexit Woes

Some signs of a looming agreement began to appear on Sunday mid-day after the publication of the statement by the UK's Department for Exiting the EU stating that Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab is expected to visit Brussels as part of an unscheduled trip.

"With several big issues still to resolve, including the Northern Ireland backstop, it was jointly agreed that face-to-face talks were necessary ahead of this week's October European Council," the statement read.

The unexpected visit to Brussels by UK's main negotiator caused speculation of significant progress in the talks with the EU. However, citing sources, Reuters reported that additional talks would be required to achieve the desirable deal for both parties.

Moreover, EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said on Sunday that despite intense talks with UK Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab, some key issues of Brexit remain open, including the matter of the Irish border.

"We met today @DominicRaab and UK negotiating team. Despite intense efforts, some key issues are still open, including the backstop for IE/NI to avoid a hard border. I will debrief the EU27 and @Europarl_EN on the #Brexit negotiations," Barnier said on Twitter.

British Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union David Davis speaks to the ECR Deal or No Deal conference in Central Hall Westminster, London, Tuesday Nov. 21, 2017. - Sputnik International
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In addition, one of the officials pointed out that the Brexit agreement is still being negotiated, thus, substantial changes could be made. Moreover, Politico cited the EU Commission authority as saying that "talks are ongoing."

To discuss the ongoing Brexit deal, the Committee of Permanent Representatives in the European Union (COREPER) will participate in a meeting on Sunday, an informed source in the bloc told Sputnik.

The meeting will take place in the evening in order to assess the situation with the Brexit negotiations, according to the source.

In addition, EU senior authorities will discuss the Brexit deal on Wednesday during a European Council summit dinner, and only after the discussion the EU would be able to endorse the plan, according to Politico.

Meanwhile, the parties have less than six months left to reach the deal, as London is set to leave the European Union in late March 2019.

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