German Chancellor Angela Merkel delivered a fresh warning on the timing of Brexit talks when she met Theresa May for the first time since the latter became Prime Minister.
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“From my point of view it’s completely understandable that a few days after the referendum, a few days after a new government in Great Britain is formed, that the government has to first think what are our interests, what exactly do they look like”, Merkel said at a joint news conference in Berlin with visiting British Prime Minister Theresa May.
The German chancellor said that European Union rules stipulate a country must invoke Article 50 to start the legal process of leaving the 28-nation bloc.
Speaking in Berlin, the UK PM said securing a “sensible and orderly departure” from the European Union would take time.
“It’s in that constructive spirit I’ve come here today to lay the foundation for a strong relationship in the months and years to come”, she said. “And that’s why I’ve said already, this will not happen before the end of this year”.
“I understand this timescale will not please everyone but I think it is important to provide clarity on that now”.
Officials will need time to consult with the governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as with various industry sectors, to work out the UK’s objectives for the negotiations, according to a statement from 10 Downing Street.
“Irrespective of the decision that the people in the United Kingdom have taken to leave the European Union, we are linked by very close bonds of friendship and partnership”, Merkel said. You can not completely cut off the bonds and then after a long, winding negotiating process come up with how one sees the future relationship, so a good negotiating process and a sensible and constructive one is in all of our interests.
May’s office says the trip, which also includes a visit to French President Francois Hollande, will help forge “the personal relations that will pave the way for open and frank discussions in the months ahead”. The presidency of the European Council is rotated between member states.
May, who has struggled to control migration into Britain, must try to balance voters’ demands for a reduction in movement of people from the other 27 members of the bloc and a desire from business to keep access to the lucrative European Union single market.
Earlier in the day, May made her debut at Prime Minister’s Questions in Parliament, fielding questions from lawmakers.
“We will make a success of it”.
May said she remained committed to negotiate “the right deal and the best deal on trade in goods and services for the British people”.
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“These relationships have been vital in the past and they will be vital in the future as we continue to work together to keep our people safe and to support economic growth that benefits people across our countries”.
