Angela Merkel seeks ‘good agreement’ with UK on Brexit
BRUSSELS: German Chancellor Angela Merkel says she hopes for a “good agreement” after Brexit talks in which 27 EU countries will listen carefully to what Britain wants but also defend their own interests.
Britain on Monday finally opened negotiations with other European Union nations about leaving the bloc. Merkel said Monday: “I think it is premature to speculate on the first day of the negotiations how they will end.’’
She added: “I hope that we will reach a good agreement. That will be in our mutual interest, but we 27 will formulate our interests very clearly and hopefully together.”
Merkel spoke after meeting with Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, who also stressed the 27 EU countries’ unity. He noted the EU wants to discuss divorce terms before moving on to the shape of its future relations with Britain. He said he views the talks with “informed optimism”.
Britain on Monday finally opened negotiations with other European Union nations about leaving the bloc. Merkel said Monday: “I think it is premature to speculate on the first day of the negotiations how they will end.’’
She added: “I hope that we will reach a good agreement. That will be in our mutual interest, but we 27 will formulate our interests very clearly and hopefully together.”
Merkel spoke after meeting with Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, who also stressed the 27 EU countries’ unity. He noted the EU wants to discuss divorce terms before moving on to the shape of its future relations with Britain. He said he views the talks with “informed optimism”.