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| Brexit: Germany responds to Theresa May's speech | Brexit: Germany responds to Theresa May's speech |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Theresa May's Brexit speech has "finally" given Europe "a bit more clarity", Germany's foreign minister has said. | Theresa May's Brexit speech has "finally" given Europe "a bit more clarity", Germany's foreign minister has said. |
| Frank-Walter Steinmeier said the Prime Minister's willingness to engage in a positive partnership with the European Union had been noted. | |
| Ms May confirmed the Government's intention to pull out of the single market when Britain leaves the EU, ending months of uncertainty and confusion following the June referendum. | |
| In her landmark speech, she said the deal she would be pursuing when the negotiations get underway “cannot mean membership of single market”. | |
| She emphasised that Britain wants to remain a good friend and neighbour to other European countries. | |
| "Finally a bit more clarity," said Mr Steinmeier in a statement, adding that the other 27 EU countries want "good, close and trusting" relations with Britain and will aim for constructive negotiations. | |
| Angela Merkel is due to meet with German ministers tomorrow to discuss Germany's position on Brexit. | |
| Not all Germany's politicians had such a measured reaction, however. | |
| "May: Go f**k yourself EU but please don't let us down. *whine* *whine*" tweeted Jan Philipp Albrecht, Green MEP for northern Germany. | |
| "Many of the 52 per cent of Brits voting leave clearly believed that they would stay in a common European market. They're f**ked together with the 48 per cent," he added. | |
| Ireland is also among the countries to have welcomed Ms May's outline of the Government's approach to negotiations with the EU. | |
| "In her speech, Prime Minister May highlighted the specific and historic relationship between Britain and Ireland," said the Irish government in a statement. | |
| "In this context, she made clear that her priorities include maintaining the common travel area and avoiding a return to a hard border with Northern Ireland, both of which are welcome." | "In this context, she made clear that her priorities include maintaining the common travel area and avoiding a return to a hard border with Northern Ireland, both of which are welcome." |
| More follows | More follows |