German Chancellor Angela Merkel said there was "progress" in Britain's exit talks from the European Union, days before a crucial European summit, but warned that "the devil is in the details."
The comments come a week before a meeting of European leaders in Brussels in what may be the last chance to reach an agreement on the terms of separation between the United Kingdom and the European Union.
"There is progress," Merkel told a news conference with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Ruti in The Hague.
"I hope there will be progress next week, we are happy that there is intense discussion, but the devil is in the details."
Dominique Rapp, British minister in charge of the BRICT negotiations, on Tuesday played down the possibility of a breakthrough at the EU summit next week, noting that an agreement would not be reached before November.
He declined to say when the government plans to publish proposals on borders with Ireland, a thorny issue in the BRICCAST talks.
