EU asks U.K. to change its mind on Brexit

Complex negotiations must be concluded by October to meet withdrawal deadline

BRUSSELS— European Union Council President Donald Tusk on Tuesday urged Britain to change its mind about leaving the bloc next year, as time to conclude a Brexit agreement runs short and EU leaders await more details on how the country sees their future ties.

Britain is set to leave the EU on March 29, 2019, but the complex negotiations on its costly departure and EU-U.K. relations must be concluded by October to leave parliaments time to ratify any agreement.

British Prime Minister Theresa May has even asked for a transition period after Brexit day to give citizens certainty and help ease the country out of Europe without alarming financial markets or hurting businesses.

“If the U.K. government sticks to its decision to leave, Brexit will become a reality, with all its negative consequences, in March next year unless there is a change of heart among our British friends,” Tusk told EU lawmakers Tuesday in Strasbourg, France.

Tusk, who chairs summits of EU leaders and speaks on their behalf, quoted U.K. Brexit envoy David Davis as saying that “if a democracy cannot change its mind, it ceases to be a democracy.”

“We here on the continent haven’t had a change of heart. Our hearts are still open to you,” Tusk said.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker added: “I hope that will be heard clearly in London.”

Brexit talks have progressed painfully slowly, and while the EU says it’s ready to discuss future ties with London, leaders are still seeking more details about how May’s government sees those links.