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Theresa May arrives in Berlin for Brexit talks with Merkel - live Theresa May arrives in Berlin for Brexit talks with Merkel - live
(35 minutes later)
6.58pm BST
18:58
Merkel/May press conference - Summary
Here are the main points from Theresa May’s press conference with Angela Merkel.
From my point of view it’s completely understandable that a few days after the referendum, a few days after a new government in Great Britain is formed, that the government has to first think what are our interests, what exactly do they look like ...
And I think it’s in all of our interests if Great Britain has a very well defined negotiating position [when talks start.]
Merkel also said it was “absolutely necessary” to have a “certain period of time” to prepare for Brexit.
That’s what’s in the treaty. We have to wait [for article 50 to be triggered] to have an idea how the UK envisages leaving, envisages the future relationship. No one wants things to be up in the air. I don’t think the British citizens want that, nor do the European member states want that. But we all have an interest in this matter being carefully prepared, in positions being clearly defined and delineated. And I think it is absolutely necessary to have a certain period of time to prepare for it.
May also said that she did not want to rush the process. She said:
All of us will need time to prepare for these negotiations and the United Kingdom will not invoke Article 50 until our objectives are clear. That is why I have said already that this will not happen before the end of this year. I understand this timescale will not please everyone but I think it is important to provide clarity on that now. We should strive for a solution which respects the decision of British voters, but also respects the interests of our European partners.
May said it was clear the British people wanted more control over immigration, but underlined that good trade was vital for the economy, offering little insight into her stance on the thorniest part of future talks.
“It’s very clear to me that one of the messages that the British gave in their vote that the UK should leave the European Union is they wanted control brought into movement of people from the European Union ... and so that of course will be one of the issues we will be looking at and we as a government will deliver on for people,” May told a news conference.
May gave a clearer answer on this in the Q&A after her speech on Monday last week, only a few minutes before Andrea Leadsom dropped out of the leadership contest, paving the way for her to become prime minister. May hinted that stopping free movement would take priority over retaining single market membership.
I have been clear that Brexit means Brexit and the United Kingdom is going to make a success of it. But I also want to be clear here today, and across Europe in the weeks ahead, that we are not walking away from our European friends. Britain will remain an outward-looking country and Germany will remain a vital partner and a special friend for us ...
The nature of our relationship is going to change as the UK leaves the EU, but we both want to maintain the closest possible economic relationship between our countries.
That’s all from me for today.
Thanks for the comments.
6.16pm BST6.16pm BST
18:1618:16
Here is some comment on the press conference.Here is some comment on the press conference.
From the BBC’s Laura KuenssbergFrom the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg
Interesting Merkel acknowledges UK govt 'has to take a moment first' before article 50, sounds like bit of a concessionInteresting Merkel acknowledges UK govt 'has to take a moment first' before article 50, sounds like bit of a concession
From Pawel Swidlicki from Open EuropeFrom Pawel Swidlicki from Open Europe
Hope that May-Merkel press conference made it clear Merkel not pushing UK into triggering Article 50 ASAP as some have claimedHope that May-Merkel press conference made it clear Merkel not pushing UK into triggering Article 50 ASAP as some have claimed
From the Guardian’s Rowena MasonFrom the Guardian’s Rowena Mason
Merkel backs May over taking time to prepare before triggering art 50 but cautions noone wants relationship to be up in the air for too longMerkel backs May over taking time to prepare before triggering art 50 but cautions noone wants relationship to be up in the air for too long
From the Sun’s Tom Newton DunnFrom the Sun’s Tom Newton Dunn
It appears May has been cold-shouldered by Merkel on Brexit footsie. Message in Berlin, put your cards on the table before we talk.It appears May has been cold-shouldered by Merkel on Brexit footsie. Message in Berlin, put your cards on the table before we talk.
From the BBC’s Kamal AhmedFrom the BBC’s Kamal Ahmed
Merkel seems to suggest there needs to be a "win" for UK and a "win" for EU on trade/free movement. So, a number of options cd be exploredMerkel seems to suggest there needs to be a "win" for UK and a "win" for EU on trade/free movement. So, a number of options cd be explored
6.01pm BST6.01pm BST
18:0118:01
From the FT’s George Parker.From the FT’s George Parker.
Q: Are you still committed to cutting net migration below 100,000?Q: Are you still committed to cutting net migration below 100,000?
May says she wants net migration down to sustainable levels. That means the tens of thousands, she says.May says she wants net migration down to sustainable levels. That means the tens of thousands, she says.
Q: Are you happy for the UK to wait until next year before triggering article 50? Is there a penalty for the UK if this drags on.Q: Are you happy for the UK to wait until next year before triggering article 50? Is there a penalty for the UK if this drags on.
Merkel says EU leaders have to see how the UK envisages leaving.Merkel says EU leaders have to see how the UK envisages leaving.
No one wants this up in the air.No one wants this up in the air.
But we all have an interest in this being properly delineated, she says. It is in everyone’s interest for this to be conducted carefully, she says.But we all have an interest in this being properly delineated, she says. It is in everyone’s interest for this to be conducted carefully, she says.
And that’s it. I will post a summary soon.And that’s it. I will post a summary soon.
5.56pm BST5.56pm BST
17:5617:56
Q: {From a German journalist] Why did you appoint Boris Johnson foreign secretary?Q: {From a German journalist] Why did you appoint Boris Johnson foreign secretary?
May says she has appointed a team of ministers who will take forward the government’s work. She will be looking forward to building good relations with Germany. The need for positive relations will underpin everything she does and everything her government does.May says she has appointed a team of ministers who will take forward the government’s work. She will be looking forward to building good relations with Germany. The need for positive relations will underpin everything she does and everything her government does.
Q: How do you envisage relations with Johnson?Q: How do you envisage relations with Johnson?
Merkel says, whoever is foreign secretary, negotiations with the UK involve negotiations with people with a lot of expertise. She says the British people who negotiate are clever. The foreign secretaries have already met.Merkel says, whoever is foreign secretary, negotiations with the UK involve negotiations with people with a lot of expertise. She says the British people who negotiate are clever. The foreign secretaries have already met.
She says she is confident that Johnson (whom she calls the British foreign secretary) will cooperate with other ministers.She says she is confident that Johnson (whom she calls the British foreign secretary) will cooperate with other ministers.
5.53pm BST5.53pm BST
17:5317:53
From the BBC’s Laura Kuennsberg.From the BBC’s Laura Kuennsberg.
Q: Will you sacrifice trade to give you control of immigration?Q: Will you sacrifice trade to give you control of immigration?
May says it is clear that the Brexit vote showed people wanted controls on immigration. She will deliver on that, she says. But she also wants the right deal on trade. This will be part of her discussions.May says it is clear that the Brexit vote showed people wanted controls on immigration. She will deliver on that, she says. But she also wants the right deal on trade. This will be part of her discussions.
Q: Can the UK impose migration controls and still have access to the single market?Q: Can the UK impose migration controls and still have access to the single market?
Merkel says the UK voted to leave. But we need to find out what relationship it wants, she says.Merkel says the UK voted to leave. But we need to find out what relationship it wants, she says.
She says the UK PM will no longer be sitting around the table when the European Council meets.She says the UK PM will no longer be sitting around the table when the European Council meets.
We have to listen to what the UK wants.We have to listen to what the UK wants.
We cannot give an answer to a question that has not been raised yet, she says.We cannot give an answer to a question that has not been raised yet, she says.
She says May said she wanted to avoid too much disquiet.She says May said she wanted to avoid too much disquiet.
She says they will be guided by the principle of friendship. Britain wants a successs. But the other 27 states want a success too.She says they will be guided by the principle of friendship. Britain wants a successs. But the other 27 states want a success too.
Q: What do you make of each other?Q: What do you make of each other?
May says what is important is that we have two women here who have had a constructive discussion, and who get on with the job to deliver the best for their citizens.May says what is important is that we have two women here who have had a constructive discussion, and who get on with the job to deliver the best for their citizens.
Merkel says she agrees.Merkel says she agrees.
5.49pm BST5.49pm BST
17:4917:49
Merkel implies she does not expect article 50 to be invoked quicklyMerkel implies she does not expect article 50 to be invoked quickly
They are now taking questions.They are now taking questions.
Q: [From a German journalist] Cherry picking is supposed to be prevented. How will you find a common position on free movement? And how can you stop the negative consequences.Q: [From a German journalist] Cherry picking is supposed to be prevented. How will you find a common position on free movement? And how can you stop the negative consequences.
Merkel says Britain has only just got a new government.Merkel says Britain has only just got a new government.
It is Great Britain, she says.It is Great Britain, she says.
She says not all of the UK’s links with the EU will be severed.She says not all of the UK’s links with the EU will be severed.
She says it is sensible for the UK to think about it negotiating position.She says it is sensible for the UK to think about it negotiating position.
5.44pm BST5.44pm BST
17:4417:44
May says she wants “the closest possible” economic relationship with Germany after BrexitMay says she wants “the closest possible” economic relationship with Germany after Brexit
May says she and Merkel believe in trade and want to ensure everyone benefits.May says she and Merkel believe in trade and want to ensure everyone benefits.
The nature of the relationship will change.The nature of the relationship will change.
But they both want the “closest possible” economic relationship between our countries.But they both want the “closest possible” economic relationship between our countries.
May says she wants to strengthen international cooperation with Germany on issues like terrorism and migration.May says she wants to strengthen international cooperation with Germany on issues like terrorism and migration.
On Brexit, she says she wants a “sensible and orderly” departure.On Brexit, she says she wants a “sensible and orderly” departure.
She says she will not invoke article 50 until the UK’s negotiating position is clear.She says she will not invoke article 50 until the UK’s negotiating position is clear.
She says she thinks the UK can forge strong relationships with EU countries after Brexit.She says she thinks the UK can forge strong relationships with EU countries after Brexit.
5.41pm BST5.41pm BST
17:4117:41
May says UK is leaving EU, but not walking away from its European friendsMay says UK is leaving EU, but not walking away from its European friends
Theresa May starts by offering her condolences to those killed in the axe attack.Theresa May starts by offering her condolences to those killed in the axe attack.
She thanks Merkel for inviting her (calling her chancellor) and she says this is the first visit to Germany by a UK prime minister since the Brexit vote.She thanks Merkel for inviting her (calling her chancellor) and she says this is the first visit to Germany by a UK prime minister since the Brexit vote.
She is clear that Brexit means Brexit.She is clear that Brexit means Brexit.
But we are not walking away from our European friends, she says.But we are not walking away from our European friends, she says.
5.40pm BST5.40pm BST
17:4017:40
Merkel says the Germans will try to safeguard British interests, as the British will try to safeguard German interests.Merkel says the Germans will try to safeguard British interests, as the British will try to safeguard German interests.
5.39pm BST5.39pm BST
17:3917:39
Theresa May's press conference with Angela MerkelTheresa May's press conference with Angela Merkel
The press conference is starting.The press conference is starting.
Angela Merkel starts.Angela Merkel starts.
She is talking about the axe attack in Germany.She is talking about the axe attack in Germany.
She says she is very happy that Theresa May has come to Berlin. This is a sign of our unity, and of our being close to each other. We have started talking to each other.She says she is very happy that Theresa May has come to Berlin. This is a sign of our unity, and of our being close to each other. We have started talking to each other.
Despite the decision Britain has made, our countries are close. We have similar values, we are both members of Nato, we will both attend the G20, we are both members of the G7, she says.Despite the decision Britain has made, our countries are close. We have similar values, we are both members of Nato, we will both attend the G20, we are both members of the G7, she says.
She says the UK and Germany worked well together in the EU. And this will be the spirit in the next few months.She says the UK and Germany worked well together in the EU. And this will be the spirit in the next few months.
She says Brexit negotiations can only start after article 50 has been triggered.She says Brexit negotiations can only start after article 50 has been triggered.
Today we will talk about the general situation. But we will not negotiate.Today we will talk about the general situation. But we will not negotiate.
And we will discuss other issues too.And we will discuss other issues too.
5.33pm BST5.33pm BST
17:3317:33
Merkel May presser about to start, watch on @bbcnews - not just 1st press Conf of 2 together, new PM's first as wellMerkel May presser about to start, watch on @bbcnews - not just 1st press Conf of 2 together, new PM's first as well
Or you can watch on the feed at the top of this blog (although it crashed a moment ago - hopefully temporarily).Or you can watch on the feed at the top of this blog (although it crashed a moment ago - hopefully temporarily).
5.28pm BST5.28pm BST
17:2817:28
There is a live feed of the press conference at the top of this blog.There is a live feed of the press conference at the top of this blog.