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Theresa May due in Paris to discuss Britain's EU exit plans Theresa May due in Paris to discuss Britain's EU exit plans
(35 minutes later)
Theresa May will meet François Hollande in Paris to discuss Britain’s plans to leave the EU, as the former head of the World Trade Organisation warned it was “pie in the sky” for Britain to expect access to the single market without free movement. Theresa May will meet François Hollande in Paris to discuss Britain’s plans to leave the EU, amid warnings from a former head of the World Trade Organisation that it was “pie in the sky” for the UK to expect access to the single market without free movement.
The prime minister will attend a working dinner hosted at the Élysée Palace by the French president on Thursday, a day after May met her German counterpart Angela Merkel in Berlin.The prime minister will attend a working dinner hosted at the Élysée Palace by the French president on Thursday, a day after May met her German counterpart Angela Merkel in Berlin.
May’s meeting with Hollande comes less than a week after the Nice attack, where 84 people were killed when Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel drove a truck into crowds celebrating Bastille Day. Security and counter-terrorism are likely to also be a key element of discussions between May and Hollande. Related: Angela Merkel backs Theresa May's plan not to trigger Brexit this year
Pascal Lamy, the former head of the WTO, said Hollande would want firm details on the new relationship Britain planned to have with the EU after cutting formal ties with the bloc. May’s meeting with Hollande comes less than a week after the attack in Nice, where 84 people were killed when Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel drove a truck into crowds celebrating Bastille Day. Security and counter-terrorism are likely to also be a key element of discussions between May and Hollande.
Pascal Lamy, a former head of the WTO, said Hollande would want firm details on the new relationship Britain planned to have with the EU after cutting formal ties with the bloc.
“The big question mark for the EU 27 is what is the UK actually looking for,” he said. “Trade is a major question, but it is not only about trade, it is about defence, diplomacy, environmental protection.”“The big question mark for the EU 27 is what is the UK actually looking for,” he said. “Trade is a major question, but it is not only about trade, it is about defence, diplomacy, environmental protection.”
He defended warnings he gave during the referendum campaign that Britain could not necessarily expect to keep access to the single market without free movement of people.He defended warnings he gave during the referendum campaign that Britain could not necessarily expect to keep access to the single market without free movement of people.
“What I said in the campaign is the notion that there will be no difference to the relationship was pie in the sky. This is absolutely obvious,” he said.“What I said in the campaign is the notion that there will be no difference to the relationship was pie in the sky. This is absolutely obvious,” he said.
Lamy cited Norway’s access to the single market under the condition they accept free movement and pay contributions to the EU budget. “As far as I understand the Brexit vote, it was no to free movement and no to paying to the EU,” he said. “That’s why saying we can have something like Norway remains pie in the sky.Lamy cited Norway’s access to the single market under the condition they accept free movement and pay contributions to the EU budget. “As far as I understand the Brexit vote, it was no to free movement and no to paying to the EU,” he said. “That’s why saying we can have something like Norway remains pie in the sky.
After meeting Merkel in Berlin, May repeated her pledge that the UK will leave the EU. But she said it will not trigger the two-year article 50 process until at least the end of the year.After meeting Merkel in Berlin, May repeated her pledge that the UK will leave the EU. But she said it will not trigger the two-year article 50 process until at least the end of the year.
Merkel said the pair had agree the UK needed time to secure its own interests, but she also said other EU states needed clarity and certainty as soon as possible. May said the two countries would remain vital partners and special friends.Merkel said the pair had agree the UK needed time to secure its own interests, but she also said other EU states needed clarity and certainty as soon as possible. May said the two countries would remain vital partners and special friends.
“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,” she said. “I understand this timescale will not please everyone, but I think it is important to provide clarity on that now.”“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,” she said. “I understand this timescale will not please everyone, but I think it is important to provide clarity on that now.”