Round of diplomatic calls before May fires pistol

Key EU figures have agreed to enter Brexit talks in a “positive spirit” during phone calls with Theresa May.

On the evening before triggering the formal Brexit process, the prime minister spoke toGerman Chancellor AngelaMerkel, European Council President Donald Tusk and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.

The leaders agreed theUKwould remaina“closeandcommitted ally” and that a strong EU was in “everyone’s interests”.

Mr Juncker said his conversation had been “good and constructive”.

A Downing Street spokesman said: “The prime minister called the Germanchancellor, the president of theEuropeanCouncil, andthe president of the European Commission earlier this evening to update them ahead of the letter giving notification of the UK’s intention to withdraw from the EU being delivered tomorrow.

“In separate calls, they agreed that a strong EU was in everyone’s interests and that the UK would remain a close and committed ally.

“They also agreed on the importance of entering into negotiations in a constructive and positive spirit, and of ensuring a smooth and orderly exit process.

“The chancellor, the European Councilpresident, andtheEuropean Commission president thanked the prime minister for her calls.”

“They agreed that a strong EU was in everyone’s interests”

Mrs May called Donald Tusk and Angela Merkel, above