EU chief executive Jean-Claude Juncker and UK Prime Minister Theresa May at a press conference in Brussels on December 8, 2017 (Photo: THX/VNA)

Schinas said the EC considers the joint report of EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier and UK’s Brexit Secretary David Davis as a gentlemen’s agreement and it is his clear understanding that it is fully backed and endorsed by the UK government.

On Friday, EU chief executive Jean-Claude Juncker said Brexit talks between the UK and the EU have made “enough progress” to begin the second phase of negotiation on future trade relations. The joint report will be submitted to 27 EU leaders for approval at a summit in Brussels on Thursday and Friday.