Merkel backs May plan not to trigger Brexit this year

BERLIN: German chancellor Angela Merkel backed UK Prime Minister Theresa May’s decision to wait until next year before beginning the formal process of leaving the

BERLIN: German chancellor Angela Merkel backed UK Prime Minister Theresa May’s decision to wait until next year before beginning the formal process of leaving the European Union.

HT Image

After their first meeting in Berlin, Merkel gave support to May, saying it was right and necessary for Britain to “take a moment” to work out what it wants. She also did not rule out a deal for the UK that combines free trade with controls on immigration, saying Germany would be listening to what Britain wants before coming to a decision.

However, French President Francois Hollande, whom May was to meet later in the day, said on Thursday that Britain’ s negotiations to leave the EU shouldn’t “drag on.”