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LONDON (AP) — The Latest on Britain's departure from the European Union (all times local):
5:30 p.m.
European Union Council President Donald Tusk says he is "absolutely sure" that Britain and the 27 EU nations will find a solution to avoid a hard border in Ireland.
The border between the Republic of Ireland, which will remain in the EU, and the United Kingdom's Northern Ireland has been one of the most vexing issues in the Brexit divorce negotiations.
But Tusk said Wednesday on the eve of a two-day EU summit that a solution was within touching distance.
He said: "Trust me, our latest proposal when it comes to new guidelines, is also acceptable for Dublin and for London."
Tusk said the summit will address the issue further and build on a December blueprint between both sides.
He said: "I can say that our interpretation of the so-called 'December agreement' is almost identical compared to the British position."
Tusk added: "This is why I am absolutely sure that we will finally find a proper solution to avoid this risk of hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland."
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4:25 p.m.
European Council President Donald Tusk says he is advising the 27 European Union leaders facing Britain in the Brexit negotiations to back a proposed transition deal between the two sides.
Tusk said on the eve of a two-day EU summit, "I have some good news for Prime Minister Theresa May."
He said: "I have just recommended to our leaders that we welcome in principle the agreement on transition.
EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier and his British counterpart, David Davis, agreed on Monday on the key elements of a deal to soften the transition once Britain leaves the European Union on March 29, 2019.
Tusk says it will allow both sides "to delay all the negative consequences from Brexit by another 21 months."
The proposal leaves open several areas of potential conflict, none bigger than the Irish border where the EU's Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom's Northern Ireland will meet.
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10:55 a.m.
Pro-Brexit demonstrators have hurled fish into the River Thames to protest against continued European access to U.K. fishing waters after Britain leaves the European Union next year.
Under a draft withdrawal agreement, Britain will remain bound by the EU's Common Fisheries Policy during a 21-month transition period from March 2019.
That has angered British fishing communities and their representatives, who have long railed against other European countries' right to fish in British territorial waters.
On Wednesday a group of fishermen and politicians boarded a trawler on the Thames near Parliament, and former UKIP leader Nigel Farage dumped haddock into the river. The protesters say the fish can't be sold in Britain because of EU rules.
Farage said the British government lacks "the guts or the strength" to stand up for fishing.
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