The source said, "This affects the lives of millions of people so, yes, this issue is a top priority."

At the start of the year UK PM Theresa May said that no deal with the EU would be better than a "bad deal" but the official said he believes the "tone" of the debate in the UK on this aspect had now "changed."

He said, "The fact that the tone has changed in the UK is to be welcomed."

On Tuesday, Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern said, "European unity will be tested. It's clear as daylight that the UK's strategy will be to try to divide Europe through bilateral negotiations with some countries."

But the EU source added that there was "broad agreement" on the EU's negotiating position which, he said, was "unique."

This had not changed by the decision to hold a general election in the UK on June 8.

The source also took a swipe at the UK over the length of time it took to trigger Article 50, which sets the Brexit process in motion, after the EU Referendum last year.

"It took the UK nine months to trigger Article 50 but the EU27 will have adopted its position within one month."

EU leaders hope that anti-EU forces in Netherlands and the rise of Emmanuel Macron in France will strengthen its negotiating hand as it seeks to preserve regional stability and ensure others aren't encouraged to follow the UK out of the door.

Mrs May indicated on Thursday that she knows what she is up against when she said the rest of the EU will "line up to oppose us."

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