Estonia is set to take over the rotating EU presidency from Britain in late 2017 after London relinquished the role to focus on Brexit negotiations, a spokesman for EU president Donald Tusk said Wednesday.

The spokesman said there was "broad agreement" when EU ambassadors met in Brussels "that Estonia's presidency be brought forward by six months to take the place of the UK".

"It is hoped that this result will be confirmed through a formal decision shortly," the spokesman said in a statement.