brussels british prime minister theresa may fail secure breakthrough brexit talk monday european commission president jean-claude juncker timeline come 10 days determine whether britain avoid costly delay give business assurances smooth exit european union free trade big market future 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 last week indications agreement citizens right opposition key ally northern ireland treat province differently mainland bid maintain open eu land border ireland scupper deal monday part choreography political deal eu set may absolute deadline monday provide new offer time eu leaders approve move phase summit eu-27 friday dec. 15. however push back days eu officials concede 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 tuesday dec. eu summit chair donald tusk cancel visit jerusalem expect call around eu leaders discuss common guidelines launch trade negotiations britain series step hold monday dec. 11 eu-27 sherpas meet prepare summit tuesday dec. 12 eu affairs minister eu-27 meet prepare summit thursday dec. 14 p.m. may attend routine eu summit brussels defence social affairs foreign affairs migration agenda friday dec. 15 may leave eu-27 leaders hold brexit summit could take one comprehensive decision phase break separate ones transition future tie may delay divorce agreement summit perhaps show voters home resolve may delay open trade talk january outline eu transition offer may ready britain retain right except vote bloc meet obligations end 2020. february agree negotiate term eu-27 may ready open talk london free trade pact brussels liken one canada 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 irish prime minister leo varadkar say saturday london would pay eu 60 billion euros brexit 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 eu diplomats say compromise may let british court refer case citizens right luxembourg-based ecj voluntary basis irish premier leo varadkar say london agree monday northern ireland would remain regulatory alignment eu hence irish republic ensure hard border police customs check could disrupt peace however hostile reaction may pro-brexit pro-london ally democratic unionist party dup depend slim parliamentary majority cause may hold agree package deal juncker dup many may party fear mean separate province british mainland force eu rule onto whole uk leaders mainland regions scotland wales london leap deal demand similar freedom perhaps remain eu customs union single market give may new headache varadkar say will see change text would change actual mean factbox countdown brexit breakthrough