LONDON, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- The Brexit talks between London and Brussels may not meet their self-imposed October deadline for a divorce deal, Britain's Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab has said.
Raab told a parliamentary committee that October remained the goal, but there was a "possibility it may creep beyond that."
As Britain and the European Union (EU) prepare to resume talks this week, Raab said that the two sides were aiming for October, "but there is some measure of leeway."
"As we enter the final phase of the negotiations in the lead-up to the October council -- and the possibility that it may creep beyond that -- we want to see some renewed energy," he said.
Britain and the EU aim to hammer out an agreement on divorce terms and future trade by a European Council summit in October so that it can be approved by individual EU countries before the UK leaves the bloc on March 29, 2019.
But talks have stalled amid divisions within Britain's Conservative government over how close an economic relationship to seek with EU, and the UK has ramped up planning for a disruptive "no deal" Brexit.
A proposed divorce agreement hammered out by British Prime Minister Theresa May's government last month proposed to keep the UK close to EU regulations in return for free trade in goods.
The proposal, known as the Chequers plan, was intended to keep Britain within a single market for goods within the EU while excluding services and other free movement obligations. It was rejected by Michel Barnier, the EU's chief negotiator. But he said in Berlin earlier that the regional bloc was "prepared to offer a partnership with Britain such as has never been with any other third country."
EU leaders claim Britain wants to "cherry pick" aspects of membership in the bloc without the full cost and responsibilities.
Raab said Britain and the bloc were 80 percent of the way to a withdrawal deal and urged the EU to show "pragmatism" in the negotiations.
"I'm confident that a deal is within our sights," the British official added.
