brussels next two weeks determine whether britain avoid costly delay give business assurances smooth exit european union free trade future follow timeline critical meet explanation key decisions need take british prime minister theresa may want eu open second phase brexit negotiations concern relations britain withdrawal march 30 2019. eu sufficient progress agree divorce term notably three key issue financial settlement guarantee right eu citizens britain soft border ireland deal money effectively do eu officials say close citizens right leave ireland big headache outstanding nl8n1o06mu nl8n1o12a0 part intricate choreography political deal eu set may absolute deadline monday dec. provide new offer time eu leaders approve move phase summit eu-27 friday dec. 15. may push simultaneous reciprocal guarantee eu soft transition future trade deal may use show britons compromise secure eu want firm british offer 27 discuss leaders commit result complex dance step mon dec. may lunch brussels eu chief executive jean-claude juncker brexit negotiator michel barnier latter say plan joint report progress uk wed dec. juncker chair weekly european commission meet morning hear barnier commission could say sufficient progress move phase 2. wed dec. p.m. 1400 gmt eu-27 envoys meet prepare decisions take eu-27 summit dec. 15 significantly open talk happen brexit thur dec. 14 may attend routine eu summit brussels start afternoon defense foreign affairs agenda fri dec. 15 may leave eu-27 leaders hold summit could take one comprehensive decision phase break separate ones transition future tie january outline eu transition offer may ready britain retain right except vote bloc meet obligations end 2020 nl8n1mz59a february agree among 27 negotiate term eu may ready open talk london free trade pact brussels liken one canada nl8n1nl26q eu estimate 60 billion euros 71 billion britain pay cover outstanding obligations leave eu officials say agreement britain offer pay agree share items brussels want especially commit spend go 2020. side say precise figure much depend future developments british newspaper report would cost 55 billion euros spark mute criticism may hardline pro-brexit ally reject big payments barnier still seek commitment right million eu citizens stay britain brexit guarantee european court justice british judge may say ecj play role britain issue could vital ensure ratification withdrawal treaty european parliament compromise might focus make clear ecj role exist eu residents whose number shrink time member state take tough line brussels negotiators also insist britain make concessions family reunion rule social benefit eu want detail british pledge avoid hard border new land frontier island ireland might disrupt peace northern ireland london say detail depend future trade agreement eu officials say hard border avoid rule remain identical either side northern ireland could stay customs union eu britain may crucial northern irish parliamentary ally insist new barriers northern ireland british mainland eu say mean whole unite kingdom would follow eu rule something brexit campaigners want british newspaper report london consider offer northern ireland autonomy set different rule present party feud mean province government dublin say may possible reach deal sufficient progress monday days ireland bless eu-27 say veto move phase britain border offer unsatisfactory factbox countdown brexit breakthrough