European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said Friday that he believed that a breakthrough had been achieved in terms of the Brexit deal with the UK.

“I believe we made the breakthrough we needed,” Juncker said after meeting with UK Prime Minister Theresa May.

He added that May told him that the new text had the backing of the UK government.

The European Commission president noted that progress was reached also in terms of the divorce bill and the EU institution was ready for the second phase of Brexit talks.

May welcomed the prospect of moving to the next phase of Brexit talks with Brussels in order to discuss future London’s relations with the EU.

,“I very much welcome the prospect of moving ahead to the next phase to talk about trade and security and to discuss the positive and ambitious future relationship that is in all of our interests,” May said at a news conference in Brussels.

May arrived in Brussels to meet with Juncker and Commission’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier for a final round of negotiations within the first phase of Brexit talks.

 (Sputnik/NAN)