EU top official calls for Theresa May to delay Brexit

SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt (AP) — After nearly two years of bitter and divisive talks on the departure of Britain from the European Union, it has come to this — the sides cannot even agree on a divorce date anymore.

European Union leader Donald Tusk said that with any agreement far from being clinched and businesses fearing a chaotic and costly cliff-edge departure, keeping the Brexit day at March 29 would be too risky.

“I believe that in the situation we are in, an extension would be a rational solution,” Tusk told reporters.

He said “all the 27 (member states) will show maximum understanding and goodwill” to make possible such a postponement, which needs unanimity.

British Prime Minister Theresa May, however, immediately dug in her heels and said she could deliver on the set date, however massive the challenge.

“It is within our grasp to leave with a deal on 29th of March and I think that that is where all of our energies should be focused,” May said.

She said that “any delay is a delay. It doesn’t address the issue. It doesn’t resolve the issue.”

May met EU leaders over two days at the EU-Arab League summit in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh.

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