Brexit today – as it happened: EU leaders give Theresa May the go ahead to move to second phase of talks
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Your support makes all the difference.European leaders have formally agreed to move to the next stage of the Brexit negotiations after deeming “sufficient progress” has been made on key issues.
It now provides Theresa May with the green light to discuss “transitional arrangements” with the EU 27 and the overall framework for the future relationship.
Announcing the breakthrough at a news conference, the European Commission President Donald Tusk also said “congratulations” to the Prime Minister on the new progress.
After meeting with her EU counterparts on Thursday, Ms May flew back to the UK in the evening after attending the EU summit, where she spoke over dinner of her wish to move to the next stage of the talks.
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said the applause came because “some of us felt, including me, that she did make a big effort and this has to be recognised”.
Back in her constituency on Friday, Ms May declared she is “well on the road” to delivering Brexit after the crucial agreement was formally reached.
She said Britain would be “beginning the talks about our future relationship straight away”, adding: “There is still more to do but we are well on the road to delivering a Brexit that will make Britain strong, prosperous and secure.”
This liveblog is now closed but you can see Friday’s developments below.
Juncker says he hopes the withdrawal agreement will be approved in the European Parliament and in London, and vowed to work with "our British friends".
Estonian Prime Minister Juri Ratas says Brexit was "not on out priority list but it's still very much in our hearts". He says the divorce will "have an impact on our soul" and he is very pleased that sufficient progress has been made.
Meanwhile, Guy Verhofstadt, the European Parliament's Brexit chief negotiator, had mocked US President Donald Trump in a tweet about EU citizens.
Mr Trump has regularly described news outlets as "fake news" if their reporting differs from his views.
Taking questions, Tusk says the PM's goal of reaching a full agreement in March 2019 is "realistic" but talks will be "dramatically difficultt".
Juncker says he is "convinced" that the agreement can be ratified by October 2018.
He says trade talks will start in March 2018 and it is unclear when they will end.
Juncker praised Ms May as a "tough, smart, polite and friendly negotiator" and revealed he spent "many days and indeed nights thrashing out all the problems" in phase one.
Looking ahead to next week in the Commons, top Independent political commentator Andrew Grice says the PM needs to embrace the MPs backing a soft Brexit, rather than fighting them.
A couple of ideas on where the flashpoints could be in future negotiations.
Chief whip Julian Smith references the other big news story - the announcement of the date of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding - in a jokey tweet.
As chief whip, he is responsible for making sure Tory MPs vote with the Government on key legislation. This week MPs will vote on whether to write the date of Brexit on the face of the bill...
Theresa May has given an interview from her Maidenhead constituency, where she said the UK was "well on the road" to Brexit.
She said: "This is an important step on the road to delivering the smooth and orderly Brexit that people voted for in June of last year.
"The UK and the EU have shown what can be achieved by commitment and perseverance on both sides.
"I am pleased that it has been agreed that we should make rapid progress on an implementation period, which will give certainty to businesses and to individuals.
"There is still more to do but we are well on the road to delivering a Brexit that will make Britain strong, prosperous and secure."
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