The British ambassador to the EU Tim Barrow delivered Wednesday Brexit notification letter to European Council President Donald Tusk, formally initiating the exit procedure from the United Kingdom to the European Union.
Tim Barrow delivered the letter to Donald Tusk, signed Tuesday by the Prime Minister Theresa May, taking it to him personally in his office of the Council of the European Union in Brussels.
This notification opens a period of two years of negotiations to secure the release of the terms of the EU countries.
Donald Tusk responded: “This is not a happy day (…) We miss you already! “
No turning back
The British Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday called on MPs and the British people to “gather” to get “the best possible agreement” with the European Union after the outbreak of Brexit, noting that there was “no turning back “ .
“Now is the time for us to work together and we the best possible agreement” , has she said before MPs adding that it was “a historic moment” and they could not have a “flashback” .
Always partner for Berlin
The UK remains a partner for Europe and NATO, said a spokesman for German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
“We must not forget that the UK remains a partner in NATO and Europe”, said Ulrike Demmer at a press conference a few minutes after that London has triggered the EU with the divorce process .
Holland think this will be ‘painful’
François Hollande said that the Brexit “will be painful for the British”, speaking on the sidelines of a trip to Indonesia after the official notification by London’s intention to leave the European Union.
“I think it will be painful for the British” , said the French president told reporters, saying the Brexit would “compel Europe to move forward, probably with different speeds” .
Tough negotiations ahead
In his letter to Donald Tusk, Theresa May wants to exit parallel negotiations and future agreement with the European Union.
The EU “will act in a united way and preserve his interests” in the process of negotiations which opened on Wednesday, said the European Council in a statement.
“We regret that the UK leaving the EU, but we are ready for the procedure we must now follow”, he clarified in this press release drafted on behalf of the 27 leaders of the member states of the Union.
In the same tone, “Negotiations will surely not be easy” , said German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel, while launching a “remain friends” to the London address.
