The vote has also raised questions about the future of Britain and post-World War II European integration, though the initial economic effect of the Brexit vote has been less negative than was predicted by those who campaigned to remain within the EU.
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Donald Tusk is a businesslike pragmatist – hence his talk of turning the potentially fractious and intractable process of Brexit into a “velvet divorce”.
The UK’s banks say they have not decided whether to move operations outside of the UK after Brexit, a top banker has said.
But May is under strong pressure at home to define what a post-Brexit world would look like, and one of her key challenges would be renegotiating Britain’s access to world markets – an issue that Brussels now undertakes on its behalf.
This sparked concerns that ministers are “confused” and can not agree policy on leaving the European Union, and Mrs May is expected to face questions on the issue after delivering a Commons statement on the G20 summit in China.
Before the meeting, Tusk told May that “the ball is now in your court” to start negotiations. “I’m aware that it is not easy but I still hope you will be ready to start the process as soon as possible”, Tusk told May during the meeting.
The EU president said he aimed to establish the “best possible relations” with the UK.
May’s spokeswoman, Helen Bower, denied that Tusk’s comments were an attempt to put pressure on Britain.
May has said she will not show her hand before starting the talks, giving few details of what her government wants when it leaves the EU.
It was a baptism of fire for the MP (member of the parliament) David Davis, making his debut on the front benches as Theresa May’s newly appointed Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, also known as the government’s Brexit Minister. Free movement of people among member states is a core principle of the bloc.
However, on Tuesday, a spokeswoman for the Prime Minister stated that the Secretary’s speech merely reflected Davis’ own views and that the work on the Brexit negotiations is ongoing.
In a statement to the Scottish Parliament Ms Sturgeon said: “I do not think it is acceptable to have a cloud of secrecy hanging over the UK Government’s negotiating position”.
Theresa May is expected to face intense criticism over the Government’s strategy for exiting the European Union after she distanced herself from the suggestion, by Brexit Secretary David Davis, that remaining part of the EU’s single market is “very improbable”.
British Prime Minister Theresa May has not been invited to the summit, which will focus on “further reforms and [.] the development of the EU”.
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Verhofstadt’s appointment may irk British Euroskeptics, who regard him as a fervent supporter of the EU’s policy of ever-closer union, which they oppose.
