EUROPE - EU leaders have approved an agreement on the UK's withdrawal and future relations - insisting it is the "best and only deal possible". After 20 months of negotiations, the 27 leaders gave the deal their blessing after less than an hour's discussion. They said the deal - which needs to be approved by the UK Parliament - paved the way for an "orderly withdrawal". Theresa May said the deal "delivered for the British people" and set the UK "on course for a prosperous future". Speaking in Brussels, she urged both Leave and Remain voters to unite behind the agreement, insisting the British public "do not want to spend any more time arguing about Brexit". The UK is scheduled to leave the EU on 29 March 2019. The UK Parliament is expected to vote on the deal on 12th December, but its approval is far from guaranteed.