The UK announced it failed to reach an agreement with the European Union officials to move to the next stage of Brexit talks, according to Prime Minister, Theresa May.

May said a progress was made but differences remain on some issues, and talks is going to be held again before the end of December as she is confident they “will conclude this positively”.

Theresa May made the remarks during a press conference with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.

“It was not possible to reach complete agreement today" despite "best efforts" made by both parts at talks in Brussels but this was "not a failure", Juncker said. He is also confident they can reach sufficient progress before the summit.

May attempts to finalize the deal ahead of the European Council summit in after 10 days.

Brexit talks between UK and the EU started in July 2017, and negotiating teams meet face-to-face for one week each month.

They are trying to get an agreement on the rights of UK and EU expat citizens after Brexit, reaching a figure for the amount of money the UK will need to pay on leaving and its future relationship with EU after the Brexit.

However, Britain is scheduled to leave the EU on Friday, 29 March 2019, and it can be extended if all 28 EU members agree.