Wishes for agreement, but must prepare for Brexit with no deal: Merkel

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Thursday the European Union is working for an orderly Brexit, but must also prepare for a no-deal scenario if the British parliament rejected the agreement presented by Prime Minister Theresa May.

May was met largely by readiness to help from European Union leaders but also by a warning: we will not reopen the divorce agreement struck last month, with Merkel saying the deal could not 'be opened again and renegotiated.'

May launched her pitch over dinner to leaders who have said that some kind of declaratory text aimed at easing British concerns could be delivered on Thursday, with possibly more to come next month before May puts her package to lawmakers.

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said the EU leaders made clear that the so-called backstop for Northern Ireland will not be a permanent one.