The European Commission has suggested taking its demand for lower tuition fees for EU students at British universities out of next month's UK-EU summit, to allow other parts of the deal to be agreed, Politico Europe reports, citing three EU diplomats.
The option was put to member states on Wednesday. Under the proposal, the UK would be asked to commit to finishing a tuition fee agreement within six months of the summit on 20 November. The EU wants its students to pay the same fees as British students, as they did before Brexit.
Postponing the issue could clear the way for agreements on agri-food trade, emissions trading and a youth experience scheme. However, the diplomats said all the deals still formed one package and would not take effect until every part was agreed. An agri-food standards deal is said to be close to completion.
Source: Politico Europe
