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Theresa May holding talks with Angela Merkel in Berlin Merkel 'curious not frustrated' after Theresa May meeting
(about 1 hour later)
Theresa May is holding talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel as she seeks to make progress on negotiating the UK's exit from the EU. Angela Merkel has said she is "not frustrated" by the Brexit process but is "curious" to know more about the UK's aims after meeting Theresa May.
The meeting, at Berlin's Chancellery, is likely to be dominated by Brexit and discussions over a "transition" period. The German chancellor said she hoped to establish "common ground" on future trade goals in the coming months and wanted a "close partnership" of equals.
The UK is under pressure to reveal more detail about the relationship it wants with the EU after its March 2019 exit. Mrs May said she wanted a "bold and ambitious" trade partnership as well as a new security arrangement with the EU.
In a speech in Munich on Saturday, she will set out the "security partnership" she envisages with European partners. But amid calls for more UK detail, she said it was not a "one-way street".
Mrs May, whose ministers are setting out what has been dubbed "the road to Brexit" in a series of speeches, will speak at the annual Munich Security Conference, which plays host to numerous world leaders, foreign ministers and defence representatives. Friday's meeting between the two leaders at Berlin's Chancellery comes ahead of a speech on Saturday in which Mrs May will set out the "security partnership" she envisages with European partners at the annual Munich Security Conference.
Intelligence co-operation British ministers are making a series of speeches mapping out the "road to Brexit" to counter criticism of a lack of clarity and contradictions in their vision of the UK's future relationship with the EU once it leaves in March 2019.
On the first day of the event, the heads of the three largest European intelligence agencies have made an unprecedented joint appearance to emphasise the necessity of international co-operation. Asked whether she was frustrated by the UK's position, Mrs Merkel said: "I'm not frustrated at all. I'm just curious how Britain envisages this future partnership and obviously we also have our own vested interests as regards, for example, economic commitments."
After holding talks, the head of Britain's MI6, Alex Younger, and his German and French counterparts issued a statement committing themselves to cross-border information sharing after Brexit to tackle international terrorism, illegal migration, nuclear proliferation and cyber attacks. She added: "We would like to preserve this close partnership and maybe both sides, in a way, are in a process of learning and trying to find out where we find common ground."
"Modern threats require a modern response. Any failure to do so would lead to even greater risk," they said. Asked about the possible trade relationship the UK could expect with the EU, she said the partnership would not be as close as it currently is, but that this did not mean "cherry picking" from the UK side would be required in what she anticipated would be a "very complex set of negotiations".
Their move comes amid warnings from the former head of GCHQ that the UK could suffer if it does not take part in the wider European defence plan post-Brexit. Mrs May said she was seeking a "future economic partnership" that suited both sides, and for British and German companies to have the maximum possible freedom to operate in each other's markets.
Robert Hannigan told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that bilateral and multilateral collaboration was vital, questioning whether it was possible for a "medium-sized country to compete in the modern market and export outside the EU" without sharing research and development costs.
On Wednesday, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson attempted to appeal to Remain supporters, urging people to unite behind his vision of a "liberal Brexit".
The devolution of powers, workers' rights and trade are also expected to be covered by other ministers.
Rights offerRights offer
Mrs May's trip to Berlin comes as the UK and the EU attempt to agree details of the temporary "transition" period that will come immediately after Brexit day and is intended to smooth the path to the permanent post-Brexit relationship between the UK and the EU. The UK prime minister's trip to Berlin comes as the UK and the EU attempt to agree details of the temporary "transition" period that will come immediately after Brexit day and is intended to smooth the path to the permanent post-Brexit relationship between the UK and the EU.
Speaking after the last round of talks, EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier said "substantial" disagreements remained and he had "some problems understanding the UK's position".Speaking after the last round of talks, EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier said "substantial" disagreements remained and he had "some problems understanding the UK's position".
On Wednesday, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson attempted to appeal to Remain supporters, urging people to unite behind his vision of a "liberal Brexit".
The British government, meanwhile, has offered to extend guarantees on EU citizens' rights after Brexit to the 20,000 Norwegian, Icelandic and Liechtensteinian nationals living in the UK.The British government, meanwhile, has offered to extend guarantees on EU citizens' rights after Brexit to the 20,000 Norwegian, Icelandic and Liechtensteinian nationals living in the UK.
Citizens from the three countries - all members of the European Economic Area - living in the UK for the past five years will be able to apply for settled status on the same basis as nationals from the other 27 EU member states.Citizens from the three countries - all members of the European Economic Area - living in the UK for the past five years will be able to apply for settled status on the same basis as nationals from the other 27 EU member states.
This would grant them permanent residency and largely the same access as now to healthcare, pensions and other benefits.This would grant them permanent residency and largely the same access as now to healthcare, pensions and other benefits.
The UK hopes the offer will be reciprocated and will give similar assurances to the 15,000 British expats in Norway, the 800 in Iceland and 60 in Liechtenstein.The UK hopes the offer will be reciprocated and will give similar assurances to the 15,000 British expats in Norway, the 800 in Iceland and 60 in Liechtenstein.
On the first day of the Munich security event, the heads of the three largest European intelligence agencies have made an unprecedented joint appearance to emphasise the necessity of international co-operation.
After holding talks, the head of Britain's MI6, Alex Younger, and his German and French counterparts issued a statement committing themselves to cross-border information sharing after Brexit to tackle international terrorism, illegal migration, nuclear proliferation and cyber attacks.
"Modern threats require a modern response. Any failure to do so would lead to even greater risk," they said.