BRUSSELS, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- French and German governments said Wednesday night that they welcomed the decisive progress made in Brexit negotiations, warning that there is still a long way to go.
"We welcome the substantial progress obtained thanks to the work Michel Barnier has accomplished for more than a year," Nathalie Loiseau, France's EU affairs minister, told European media POLITICO.
"France ... is examining very carefully the draft agreement," said Loiseau.
"We want a good text which will painstakingly make sure that the interests of the EU are respected. We will be particularly vigilant when it comes to maintaining the conditions of fair competition," POLITICO quoted him as saying.
Meanwhile, Germany is "very relieved" to hear of the Brexit deal, said Foreign Minister Heiko Maas in a statement.
"After months of uncertainty we finally have a clear signal from Britain of how their departure can be carried out in an orderly manner. There is still a long way to go, however," said the statement.
"Britain's exit from the EU is and remains regrettable. Despite that, we want to retain the closest possible links with our British friends," read the statement.
Earlier in the day, the European Union's chief negotiator Michel Barnier told reporters that the EU and Britain have made decisive steps to end Brexit negotiations, sending a clear signal for an upcoming special summit later this month.
"We have reached a crucial stage, an important moment in this extraordinary negotiation," said Barnier in a press conference conveyed shortly after Britain's cabinet approved the draft Brexit deal.
