Merkel: Some British People Have "Illusions" About Discussing the UK's Future

• 04.27.2017, 18:56
•  World

Reuters

German Chancellor Angela Merkel says some British people have "illusions" about discussing the UK's future ties with the EU at the same time as nailing down the UK's Brexit terms. An EU-UK deal can only be discussed once the exit issues - such as UK payments to the EU budget - are resolved, Mrs Merkel told German MPs, the BBC reports.

The UK initiated the formal procedure to leave the EU on 29 March.  It sets a two-year deadline for completion of the exit negotiations.

EU leaders are to meet on Saturday to adopt their joint negotiating position on Brexit. They are working on the basis of draft guidelines issued on 31 March.

Official talks will not begin until after the UK general election on 8 June.