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Guy Verhofstadt said a system will be devised to give the chance for pro-European Brits to keep the blocs benefits, such as freedom of travel and the ability to vote in European elections.

Talking to BBC Radio 4s Today programme, Mr Verhofstadt claimed he had received more than 1,000 letters from worried UK citizens who didnt want to lose their relationship with the European civilisation.

All British citizens today have also EU citizenship. That means a number of things: the possibility to participate in the European elections, the freedom of travel without problem inside the Union, he said.

We need to have an arrangement in which this arrangement can continue for those citizens who on an individual basis are requesting it.

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We need an arrangement for those citizens who on an individual basis want to Remain EU citizens

Guy Verhofstadt

The senior Brussels figures will now need to convince his European colleagues to agree on such an arrangement when negotiations begin.

However, Mr Verhofstadt warned the European Parliament has the powers to veto any Brexit deal brokered between the UK and European Commission.

Prime Minister Theresa May has said she wants to trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty by the end of March, which paves the way for formal divorce negotiations to begin.

Speaking at her last EU summit before she is due to activate the departure process, Mrs May said Britain was on the brink of a defining moment and ready to forge a new role in the world.

She also signalled her determination to resist any attempts by Brussels to hit the UK with a divorce bill of up to 52billion as a a punishment for voting to leave.

Mr Verhofstadt said there will always be an enormous gap between Britain and the EUs wishes, however it will be possible to reach a compromise once Article 50 is triggered.

The European Parliament chief refused to offer a settlement figure, but claimed there are objective facts which will help all parties reach a final sum.

Mrs May is due to make a statement to the Commons on Friday about Thursdays summit, raising expectations that she could use the occasion to activate the EUs exit clause.

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Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, speaks in the House of Lords Chamber at the start of the third day of The European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill

The Prime Minister spoke of her desire to step up the pace of the divorce process at a new conference in Brussels.

Our European partners have made clear to me they want to get on with the negotiation and so do I, she said.

Its time to get on with leaving the European Union and building the independent, self-governing, global Britain the British people have called for. And so, I have said, we will trigger Article 50 by the end of this month.

This will be a defining moment for the UK as we begin the process of forging a new role for ourselves in the world as a strong country with control over our borders and laws.

Excerpt from:
'We need an arrangement' Verhofstadt offers Britons chance to REMAIN in the European Union - Express.co.uk