The EU's 27 other leaders will meet without British Prime Minister Theresa May later to discuss their plans for the upcoming Brexit negotiations.
EU leaders to discuss Brexit without May
STEPANAKERT, DECEMBER 15, ARTSAKHPRESS: They will have dinner at the European Council summit in Brussels amid tensions over the handling of talks, BBC News reports.
Downing Street said Mrs May had not sought to be present at the dinner and the meeting showed the EU was facing up to the reality that the UK was leaving.
No 10 said she would play a full role in talks on other issues such as Syria.The leaders will also discuss controlling mass migration into Europe, the EU's relationship with Ukraine, co-operation with NATO and economic matters.
The UK is to send a further 40 officials to Greece to try and speed up asylum claims from Iraqis, Afghans and Eritreans arriving there in an effort to deter others from coming.
There are already 70 UK caseworkers "experienced" in dealing with the return of asylum-seekers taking part in the trial scheme.
The UK is pressing for more EU-wide action to tackle economic migration at its source, working with countries such as Libya and Egypt to help control their borders.
