This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-36853952

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Hollande will tell Theresa May he wants Brexit talks to begin soon Hollande urges UK to start Brexit talks as soon as possible
(35 minutes later)
UK PM Theresa May is in Paris for talks with Francois Hollande about the UK's exit from the European Union. French President Francois Hollande has said he respects the decision of the UK to leave the EU but Brexit negotiations should begin as soon as possible.
In a press conference, the French president thanked Mrs May for her "message of solidarity" in the wake of the terrorist attack in Nice. Meeting Theresa May for talks in Paris, Mr Holland said he recognised the new UK government needed time to prepare but stressed: "The sooner the better."
He said he "respected" the Brexit decision of UK voters but added he would like to see "the best possible timescale to open negotiations". He thanked the PM for her "message of solidarity" in the wake of the terrorist attack in Nice.
Mrs May said she wanted to "maximise opportunities" for the UK and the EU.
In a joint press conference, she said she wanted to maintain "the closest possible economic relationship between our countries" and stressed that France and the UK would continue to work together on issues like counter-terrorism and stressed that the UK would continue to meet its Nato obligations.
She added: "As I have said Brexit means Brexit and I firmly believe we will make a success of it. Not just for the UK but for our European partners too.
"We will continue to work together to keep our people safe and to stand up for our values around the world. We did so before the EU existed and we will continue to do so long after the UK has left."
Mr Hollande has previously rejected any "pre-negotiations".
During the press conference he also repeated France's argument that the UK could only get access to the single market if it accepted the free movement of people.
He said: "The United Kingdom has decided to leave the European Union and we respect that decision. We would like to be reflected in the best possible timescale to open a negotiation to establish what will be the relationship between the UK and Europe.
"For France, the sooner the better. There cannot be discussions or pre-negotiations before the negotiations, but we can of course prepare these negotiations and we can understand that your government, that's just been formed, needs this time."
Mrs May has said she does not want to start the formal process until 2017.Mrs May has said she does not want to start the formal process until 2017.
During the press conference she repeated her statement that "Brexit means Brexit" adding: "I firmly believe we will make a success of it, not just for the UK but for our European partners".
The French president, who will host Mrs May at a working dinner at the Elysee Palace, has rejected any "pre-negotiations" and said the UK could not access the EU free market without having free movement of people.
It comes after she held talks about Brexit with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin.It comes after she held talks about Brexit with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin.
Follow the latest political developments live
She said a "sensible and orderly departure" from the EU would take time, while Mrs Merkel said both sides wanted the "best result for Britain".
Downing Street said the prime minister would stress that France was "one of our oldest and most important partners, where the depth of our relationship - particularly on security and defence - is very important for both of us".Downing Street said the prime minister would stress that France was "one of our oldest and most important partners, where the depth of our relationship - particularly on security and defence - is very important for both of us".
BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg said such encounters were currently at a "getting to know you" stage, with EU leaders waiting to see what the UK wants to achieve from the negotiations.BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg said such encounters were currently at a "getting to know you" stage, with EU leaders waiting to see what the UK wants to achieve from the negotiations.
Analysis by the BBC's Gavin HewittAnalysis by the BBC's Gavin Hewitt
Francois Hollande wants the UK to pay a price for leaving the EU.Francois Hollande wants the UK to pay a price for leaving the EU.
His instinct is partly driven by the need to undermine support for Marine Le Pen, who wants to hold a similar referendum in France.His instinct is partly driven by the need to undermine support for Marine Le Pen, who wants to hold a similar referendum in France.
The French have also been openly lobbying UK banks and financial companies to relocate inside the eurozone and in particular to Paris.The French have also been openly lobbying UK banks and financial companies to relocate inside the eurozone and in particular to Paris.
It has been a long-standing French interest to weaken the City of London.It has been a long-standing French interest to weaken the City of London.
Even so, he will want the increasingly close defence relationship with the UK to continue.Even so, he will want the increasingly close defence relationship with the UK to continue.
It may prove helpful that the UK referendum vote appears to be deterring voters elsewhere in Europe from following the same path.It may prove helpful that the UK referendum vote appears to be deterring voters elsewhere in Europe from following the same path.
Read more from GavinRead more from Gavin
On Wednesday, at a joint press conference with Mrs Merkel, Mrs May said the UK was in no rush to trigger the two-year process of leaving the EU - telling reporters that although "this would not please everyone" it was right to hold off until the UK's "objectives were clear".On Wednesday, at a joint press conference with Mrs Merkel, Mrs May said the UK was in no rush to trigger the two-year process of leaving the EU - telling reporters that although "this would not please everyone" it was right to hold off until the UK's "objectives were clear".
The process of preparing the UK for Brexit would require "serious and detailed work" but, irrespective of this, she said the UK was determined to maintain strong trading, economic and security links with Germany, which she described as "a vital partner and special friend".The process of preparing the UK for Brexit would require "serious and detailed work" but, irrespective of this, she said the UK was determined to maintain strong trading, economic and security links with Germany, which she described as "a vital partner and special friend".
"Of course, 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 and I believe that is what German and British businesses want too," she said.
"So it's good that we start from such a strong foundation and a position where both our countries believe in liberal markets and free trade and these should be the principles that guide us in the discussions ahead."
Asked how they had got on at their first meeting, Mrs May said they were two women who want to "get on with the job and deliver the best possible results for the people of the UK and Germany".
The German chancellor said the two countries had "similar convictions and values" and she was determined to proceed in the "spirit of unity and friendship" that characterised Anglo-German relations.The German chancellor said the two countries had "similar convictions and values" and she was determined to proceed in the "spirit of unity and friendship" that characterised Anglo-German relations.
A Downing Street source said the government was "encouraged" by the tone of the talks and the subsequent working dinner in the German chancellery.
"There was a free flowing conversation in the bilateral talks and the dinner," the source said. "The two established a personal connection and relationship and the communication channels are now open."