UK's Brexit deal with EU hits opposition from France, eastern Europe

The draft accord between the United Kingdom and the European Union on modifying the terms of Britain's membership ran into some opposition from France and a group of Eastern European nations on Wednesday.

France's finance minister claimed his country was seeking as level a 'playing-field' between the City and other European financial centres.

In parallel, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic wished to place a four-year time-limit on the UK's ability to place a 'brake' on migrant benefits, according to a draft statement seen by Reuters.

Speaking before a second meeting of top aides and envoys to EU leaders in Brussels, European Council president Donald Tusk said the draft accord between the UK and EU was "very fragile", Reuters reported.

Nevertheless, in broad terms those same eastern European nations appeared to endorse the UK's efforts, although they were "concerned".

Tusk was hoping to clinch a definitive deal at the EU's summit due to be held at the end of the following week and would travel to Paris, Berlin and eastern Europe beforehand in an attempt to drum up support.

Ahead of that second round of contacts between envoys, officials told Reuters they would discuss "small, technical" tweaks.