Passing EU withdrawal deal most important step in Brexit process - Dutch PM

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said on Friday the British parliament's approval of the European Union withdrawal agreement would significantly increase the chances of an orderly Brexit by May 22.

"I would say that passing the withdrawal agreement is the most important step", Rutte told reporters as British lawmakers prepared to vote for a third time on Prime Minister Theresa May's withdrawal deal.

"We would then probably be able to work out the document on the future relationship in the coming weeks." (Reporting by Stephanie van den Berg and Bart Meijer Editing by Gareth Jones)