- Title: Hollande cautions against Brexit negotiation 'ambiguity'
- Date: 28th September 2016
- Summary: BERLIN, GERMANY (SEPTEMBER 28, 2016) (REUTERS) PEOPLE WALKING IN STREET WITH TELEVISION TOWER IN DISTANCE FRENCH, EUROPEAN UNION AND GERMAN FLAGS FLYING OUTSIDE GERMAN CHANCELLERY CAR WITH EU FLAG CARRYING EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT JEAN-CLAUDE JUNCKER DRIVING INTO CHANCELLERY POLICE STANDING GUARD JUNCKER, GERMAN CHANCELLOR ANGELA MERKEL, FRENCH PRESIDENT FRANCOIS HOLLANDE AND CHAIRMAN OF EUROPEAN ROUND TABLE OF INDUSTRIALISTS BENOIT POTIER ARRIVING FOR NEWS CONFERENCE POTIER AND HOLLANDE STANDING AT LECTERNS PHOTOGRAPHER TAKING PICTURES (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENT, FRANCOIS HOLLANDE, SAYING: "With the United Kingdom, we are now waiting for the British government to turn to the European Union and invoke Article 50, but we will make sure to say to the United Kingdom that we want to work with them as our friends but according to very well-defined criteria. If there is any ambiguity about what we want to do together, that would not be good for the British economy or for the European Union. That is how we are approaching matters tonight." EU, FRENCH AND GERMAN FLAGS STANDING (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN CHANCELLOR, ANGELA MERKEL, SAYING: "In the light of current events, today we will also talk about the situation in the European Union as a whole after the referendum in Great Britain. We will make clear that, after the meeting in Bratislava, we are determined as the 27 member states to continue economic development for the benefit of the people in our countries and their jobs, and for this we have an ambitious working plan." CAMERA OPERATOR ADJUSTING CAMERA MERKEL, HOLLANDE, JUNCKER AND POTIER LEAVING
- Embargoed: 13th October 2016 19:07
- Keywords: Angela Merkel Francois Hollande Jean-Claude Juncker Brexit referendum European Round Table of Industrialists
- Location: BERLIN, GERMANY
- City: BERLIN, GERMANY
- Country: Germany
- Topics: European Union,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA00151HBH3B
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: French President Francois Hollande has cautioned against "ambiguity" in negotiations concerning the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union, saying on Wednesday (September 28) the criteria for Brexit must be well-defined.
"We will make sure to say to the United Kingdom that we want to work with them as our friends but according to very well-defined criteria. If there is any ambiguity about what we want to do together, that would not be good for the British economy or for the European Union," Hollande said ahead of a Berlin meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and representatives from the European Round Table of Industrialists.
Merkel said that the ramifications of Brexit would be on the agenda at the meeting, and emphasised that the remaining 27 EU member states would prioritise their own citizens.
British Prime Minister Theresa May has ruled out giving formal notification this year of Britain's intention to leave the European Union under Article 50 of the EU treaty, but has not given any clear guidance of her intentions beyond that.
European Council President Donald Tusk and Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny have both said that May's government is indicating it could be ready to launch formal negotiations to leave the EU in January or February of 2017.
Because this would start the clock ticking on an extremely tight two-year deadline for completing the divorce, British officials have been pushing behind the scenes for early consultations with the EU.
EU member states have sent out different signals on what kind of agreement might be acceptable. But there is a broad consensus that if Britain places limits on free movement it will be difficult for it to retain access to the EU's single market. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2016. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None