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EUBrexitTuskStatement by the European Council on the Article 50 notification by the UK
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The EU will start immediately arranging the practicalities of Brexit, according to an official European Council Statement, issued upon reception of the article 50 notification.
“Our first priority will be to minimise the uncertainty caused by the decision of the United Kingdom for our citizens, businesses and Member States. Therefore, we will start by focusing on all key arrangements for an orderly withdrawal”, says the Council.
Today, the European Council President Donald Tusk, received a letter from the British Prime Minister, Theresa May, notifying the United Kingdom`s intention to leave the European Union.
According to the official statement, “this notification follows the referendum of 23 June 2016 and starts the withdrawal process under Article 50 of the Treaty”.
“We regret that the United Kingdom will leave the European Union, but we are ready for the process that we now will have to follow”, reads the statement.
“For the European Union, the first step will now be the adoption of guidelines for the negotiations by the European Council. These guidelines will set out the overall positions and principles in light of which the Union, represented by the European Commission, will negotiate with the United Kingdom”, says the Council. To this end, President Tusk has convened the European Council on 29 April 2017.
“In these negotiations the Union will act as one and preserve its interests”, says the European Council.
“We will approach these talks constructively and strive to find an agreement. In the future, we hope to have the United Kingdom as a close partner”, it concludes.
CNA – Athanasios Athanasiou – Belgium/Brussels 29/03/2017 16:32