Germany, UK pledge closer relations
(VOVworld)
- British Prime Minister Theresa May is in Germany for her first trip abroad since taking the post. In talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin on Wednesday, the two expressed their confidence that bilateral relations and trade will continue despite Brexit.
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| British Prime Minister Theresa May and German Chancellor Angela Merkel (Photo: Reuters) |
Merkel said that there will be no formal Brexit negotiations until Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty is triggered, adding that the new British government should define its priorities, firm viewpoints, and what it wants its relationship with the EU to be. Brexit negotiations need time to be prepared, Merkel said, and asked Britain to create a roadmap for its exit. She pledged to promote bilateral ties.
May said the UK will not leave the EU before the end of 2016 in order to plan a sensible and orderly departure. She insisted that Brexit means Brexit and rejected the idea that it’s still possible to prevent Britain from leaving the EU. The UK is determined to maintain strong trading, economic and security links with Germany, which May described as "a vital partner and special friend". She promised that the UK will not "walk away" from Europe and wants to retain the "closest economic links".