No turning back: UK triggers Brexit process
British PM triggers ‘historic’ exit from EU, says there can be no turning back
Britain launched the historic process of leaving the EU on Wednesday but its European partners were quick to warn of the difficult path that lies ahead.
Prime Minister Theresa May declared there was “no turning back” after she gave EU President Donald Tusk formal notification of Britain’s intention to withdraw following last June’s shock referendum.
The momentous move, which comes just days after the EU celebrated its 60th birthday, leaves Britain deeply divided and has thrown a question mark over the future of the 28nation bloc which rose from the ashes of World War II.
“This is an historic moment from which there can be no turning back,” Ms May told MPs, to cheers from members of her ruling Conservative party.
British ambassador Tim Barrow handed-delivered the letter to Tusk triggering Article 50 of the EU’s Lisbon Treaty, starting the two-year countdown to leaving. “We already miss you,” Mr Tusk said.
But French President Francois Hollande struck a tough tone, warning that Brexit would be “economically painful” for Britain, the first country to leave the bloc. German Chancellor Angela Merkel also rebuffed Ms May’s call for negotiations on Britain’s withdrawal to run alongside talks on a future trade agreement.
Britain launched the process to leave the European Union Wednesday, saying there was “no turning back” from the historic move that has split the country and thrown the bloc’s future into question.
Just days after the EU’s 60th birthday, Britain became the first country ever to seek a divorce from the 28-nation bloc, striking a blow at the heart of an alliance forged from the ashes of World War II.
“This is a historic moment from which there can be no turning back,” Prime Minister Theresa May told MPs.
Nine months after the shock referendum vote for Brexit, Britain triggered Article 50 of the EU’s Lisbon Treaty, starting the two-year countdown to leaving.
French President Francois Hollande warned that Brexit “will be painful for the British”.
The EU is determined to preserve its unity and has said any deal must not encourage other countries to follow Britain out of the door.
The six-page letter, signed by May and delivered in person by British ambassador Tim Barrow in Brussels, struck a conciliatory tone and called for a “deep and special partnership”.
May emphasised the importance of security ties, warning that failure to reach an agreement would mean “cooperation in the fight against crime and terrorism would be weakened”.
She confirmed her intention to seek a new relationship and a new trade deal in the next two years, and said a no deal scenario was “not the outcome that either side should seek”.
The letter sets the stage
for months of protracted and difficult negotiations — not just on trade, but also over outstanding bills and immigration.
While the EU scrambles to contain the fallout from Britain’s departure after four decades of membership, May is also battling to keep her deeply divided nation together. — AFP
We, the EU, would carry out the upcoming talks in a fair and constructive manner. I hope that the British government will also adopt the same spirit in the negotiations... — Angela Merkel, German Chancellor Britain remains our neighbour like the European Union is for Britain. We need each other... — Sigmar Gabriel, German foreign minister Today isn’t a good day. Brexit marks a new chapter in our Union’s history, but we’re ready — Antonio Tajani, European Parliament chief The impossible dream is happening. Today, we pass the point of no return — Nigel Farage, Ex-UKIP leader