At the European Council working dinner on 17 October, leaders of the 27 EU Member States reviewed the state of the Brexit negotiations with the UK. Ahead of the meeting, Prime Minister Theresa May updated the leaders on the UK perspective on the negotiations. Leaders reaffirmed their full confidence in Michel Barnier as the negotiator and their determination to stay united. They also noted that, despite intensive negotiations, not enough progress has been achieved. They called on Mr. Barnier to continue his efforts to reach an agreement in accordance with previously agreed European Council guidelines. The leaders declared their readiness to convene a European Council, if and when Mr. Barnier reports that decisive progress has been made. In the area of EU-Africa relations, leaders agreed that cooperation should be taken to a new level, underpinned by the necessary resources, including through the European External Investment Plan and the EU Trust Fund for Africa. They underlined their support for the Commission's initiative for a new Africa-Europe Alliance for Sustainable Investment and Jobs and called for further action, including concrete proposals for Member States' involvement.