“The talks are likely to cover similar issues as those in Berlin, as well as Thursday’s attack in Nice and counter-terrorism co-operation”.
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Theresa May’s office says Britain’s new prime minister will meet the French and German leaders in her first overseas trips this week.
A sharply attired May’s performance in the gladiatorial encounter in the House of Commons reminded many of former prime minister Margaret Thatcher, as she took on Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and joked about the travails within the opposition party.
Speaking before her departure for Berlin, the PM said she aimed to deliver a clear message to Mrs Merkel and Mr Hollande that Britain wants to maintain – and even strengthen – its close relations with their countries even after it has quit the EU.
“Of course you’re going to talk about political realities – and that is the decision of the British people to leave the European Union – but…”
The UK was due to hold the seat in the second half of 2017, but Mrs May has decided Britain should skip its turn in the light of last month’s referendum vote for Brexit.
Carwyn Jones will meet Theresa May at the Welsh Assembly in Cardiff, and situation regarding the UK-post Brexit will also be discussed. He said that “My advice to my successor, who is a brilliant negotiator, is that we should try to be as close to the European Union as we can be, for the benefits of trade, of co-operation and of security”.
She also stressed that Britain should not be limited by focusing exclusively on its relationship with its European neighbors but should instead look to build ties throughout the world.
The Prime Minister has said she will not trigger Article 50, the official process for starting Brexit, this year.
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May also told European Council President Donald Tusk on Tuesday that Britain would not take up its scheduled presidency of the council in 2017. The results of the voting prompted David Cameron to sign off as the country’s prime minister.
