British prime minister Theresa May has warned her government will not be rushed into applying to leave the EU because London – and other European capitals – need time to prepare for Britain’s “sensible and orderly” departure.
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Dr Merkel, who hosted Mrs May in Berlin on Wednesday during her first overseas trip as prime minister, said that European Union rules stipulate a country must invoke Article 50 to start the legal process of leaving the 28-nation bloc.
May met German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday, and said Britain won’t start exit talks until “our objectives are clear”.
Mrs. Merkel said she did not expect there to be any formal negotiations at this stage and it was “understandable” the United Kingdom needed a period of time to prepare.
May informed European Council president Donald Tusk of her decision in a phone call on Tuesday evening, their first since she took over from David Cameron last week.
Commentators have drawn comparisons between Merkel and May: both pastors’ daughters with supportive husbands, happy to stay out of the limelight, who rose to become leaders of centre-right parties.
Key sticking points in the Brexit negotiations could be freedom of movement and the timetable for triggering Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, which starts the two-year countdown to Britain’s formal departure. It would be in the UK’s interests to be given informal guidance on what position Germany might take in negotiations with it, prior to Article 50 being triggered. “I think it is absolutely necessary to have a certain time to prepare for that”. But we all have an interest in this matter being carefully prepared, positions being clearly defined and delineated.
The new British Prime Minister will face her first questions in parliament on Wednesday as a Prime Minister.
May said she remained committed to negotiate “the right deal and the best deal on trade in goods and services for the British people”.
May also has announced that the U.K.is relinquishing its turn at holding the European Union presidency.
Avoiding Johnson’s blonde ambition, May insisted her cabinet would work together to build good relations overseas.
May is expected to emphasize the value the United Kingdom placed on its economic, trading and security relationships with France and Germany and its commitment to maintaining strong ties outside of the EU.
The presidency of the Council – the gathering of national ministers from the EU’s 28 member states – rotates among members every six months.
Ms Merkel added Germany would “stand up for our interests just as Britain does it for its own citizens”, but it would be “in a spirit of friendship and on a basis of many shared convictions”.
“There’s no wiggle room”, said Simon Hix, professor of political science at the London School of Economics, citing resistance to Britain’s demands in Germany and in Brussels.
Mrs May will meet the French President Francois Hollande on Thursday.
“We have two women here who have got on and had a very constructive discussion”, May said.
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At her news conference with Merkel, May said Britain’s goal was to retain “the closest possible economic relationship” with Germany and other European Union countries.
