May gets faint praise and warnings from Brussels as path cleared for phase two of Brexit talks

EU leaders applauded Theresa May as they confirmed progress has finally been made to allow Brexit talks to move forward. But the praise in Brussels was mixed with veiled warnings about the storms that lie ahead.
Some questions still hang over the EU’s most burning issues, namely citizens’ rights, the Irish border and Britain’s outstanding payments, but Brussels has seen enough to give the green light for the second phase of negotiations on the UK’s withdrawal from the bloc.

The president of the European council, Donald Tusk, tweeted: “EU leaders agree to move on to the second phase of #Brexit talks. Congratulations PM @theresa_may.”

May replied via Twitter, thanking Tusk and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker: “Today is an important step on the road to delivering a smooth and orderly Brexit and forging our deep and special future partnership.”
 RT.COM
15/12/17
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• The European Union cleared the way Friday for Brexit talks with Britain to move onto the second stage, which will involve wide-ranging - and potentially far trickier - discussions on their future relationship and trade.