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Britain will honor financial commitments to EU: May

(Xinhua)    12:39, October 21, 2017

Britain Prime Minister Theresa May speaks to the press at the end of a two day EU leaders summit at the building Council of the EU, in Brussels, on October 20, 2017. EU leaders agreed to start preparatory talks on the bloc's relationship with Britain after Brexit, giving some progress for embattled Prime Minister Theresa May to take back home. [Photo: VCG/John Thys]

British Prime Minister Theresa May reassured her European colleagues Friday by reiterating Britain's financial commitments to the European Union (EU), urging the EU27 to give green light to the second phase of Brexit talks at an early date.

May made the remarks at a press conference while leaders of the EU27 holding a close-door roundtable meeting over Brexit without Britain.

"Britain will go through the financial commitments line by line," said May, without giving a specific figure of the "devoice bill".

"We are within touching distance of reaching a deal on citizen rights ...whatever happens we want EU citizens to stay (in Britain)," said May.

She as usual expressed her optimism on the future talks. "I am ambitious for our future ...We must give an outcome that works for all," said May, appealing for new dynamic around Brexit talks.

May arrived in Brussels on Thursday to join her European colleagues for the autumn EU Summit. Prior to her trip, May on Thursday sought to reassure the 3 million EU nationals living in Britain that they would be treated fairly and at par with Britons.

In an open letter on her Facebook account, May said the application process for "settled status" -- also called "indefinite leave to remain" in Britain, which can obtained after five years of living there -- would be streamlined, keeping the cost as low as possible.

Despite her charm offensive, many leaders of EU members downplayed the possibility of any breakthrough during the two-day summit.

Britain has failed to make clear of some of its commitments during the Brexit talks and more clarity is needed, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said Thursday during the ongoing summit.

"May has to come up with more clarity on what she means by 'other commitments' in her Florence speech. I phoned her last week and tried to encourage her to do that, and so far she hasn't," Rutte told reporters. 

(For the latest China news, Please follow People's Daily on Twitter and Facebook)(Web editor: Kou Jie, Bianji)

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