France’s Hollande says no trade deal with UK before Brexit
French President Francois Hollande said Thursday that Britain must agree on the conditions of its exit from the EU before the bloc’s members discuss other issues such as a trade deal.
“First we must begin discussions on the modalities of the withdrawal, especially on the rights of citizens and the obligations arising from the commitments that the United Kingdom has made,” Hollande said.
“On the basis of what progress is made, we could open discussions on the framework of the future relations between the United Kingdom and the European Union,” he added.
Hollande’s approach echoes that of German Chancellor Angela Merkel who on Wednesday snubbed Prime Minister Theresa May’s call for negotiations on the UK’s exit from the EU to run alongside talks on defining the conditions of their future relationship.
Merkel said the negotiations “must first clarify how we will disentangle our interlinked relationship… and only when this question is dealt with, can we, hopefully soon after, begin talking about our future relationship”.
As the EU’s major powers, Germany and France are expected to play a determining role in the negotiations over the relationship that Britain will have when it leaves.
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1 Comments
Where are the arrogant selfish British? The game has began o, all the grandstanding they have been exhibiting it is now time to know who is who.
The cunning Britain have met their match. They want to eat their cake and still have it. This time they are not dealing with Hausa/Fulani but full bloodied Europeans like themselves.
We will review and take appropriate action.