brussels timeline come 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 british prime minister theresa may key ally northern ireland treat province differently mainland bid maintain open eu land border eu-member 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 dec. 15. push back till end week eu officials say 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 wednesday dec. may expect return brussels soon wednesday european commission president jean-claude juncker brexit negotiator michel barnier emerge meet pronounce sufficient progress make summit chair donald tusk distribute draft guidelines eu negotiate position trade talk 27 governments monday dec. 11 eu-27 sherpas meet prepare summit key moment national leaders advisers seek change guidelines tuesday dec. 12 eu affairs minister eu-27 meet prepare summit thursday dec. 14 p.m. may attend routine eu summit brussels defense social affairs foreign affairs migration agenda friday dec. 15 may leave eu-27 leaders hold brexit summit enough time could acknowledge sufficient progress endorse trade negotiate guidelines include propose term two-year status-quo transition period january outline eu transition offer include 2019 withdrawal treaty may ready britain likely retain right except vote bloc meet obligations end 2020. february fine-tune negotiate position 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 officials say compromise may let luxembourg-based ecj oversee case citizens right years brexit irish prime minister leo varadkar say london agree monday northern ireland british province 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 northern ireland democratic unionist party dup depend slim parliamentary majority cause 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 something would change actual mean countdown brexit breakthrough