British Prime Minister Theresa May
Britain cannot agree a withdrawal deal with the European Union without securing a precise framework for their future relationship, a spokesman for Prime Minister Theresa May said on Monday.
"There can be no withdrawal agreement without a precise future framework," he told reporters.
Britain and the EU will resume talks this week on the detail of Britain's withdrawal from the bloc and on its future relationship. EU leaders will meet next week to try to conclude a deal but any final agreement may have to wait until a special meeting in November.
Thousands of German businesses sought advice in recent weeks on how to prepare for Britain's exit from the European Union in a sign they are "highly uneasy", the head of the DIHK Chambers of Industry and Commerce was cited as saying on Monday.DIHK President Eric Schweitzer told the Passauer Neue Presse newspaper that it was more important than ever for German firms to prepare for the different possible forms of Brexit, adding of the negotiations: "The cat and mouse game is never ending."Britain is due to leave the EU in March, but talks on managing the unprecedented split have been stalled over differences on how to avoid border checks between EU member Ireland and Britain's province of Northern Ireland.To help its members prepare for Brexit, the DIHK has produced a "Brexit Checklist" that addresses questions including customs duties, contracts and taxes."More than 11,000 downloads (of the checklist) in recent weeks shows that companies are highly uneasy," Schweitzer said in comments published in the Passauer Neue Presse on Monday.Brexiteers set limit for UK PM Theresa May's trade deal with EUUK welcome to join Pacific trade deal, Japanese PM says
Thousands of German firms sought advice on Brexit
After more positive comments from the EU over the Brexit negotiations, the spokesman said there was a difference between optimistic talk about a deal being done and getting an agreement, again calling on the bloc to move its position.
"It's worth me pointing out that there's a difference between people talking optimistically about a deal, and a deal including both the withdrawal agreement and the future framework, actually being agreed," he said.
"There remain big issues to work through."
The U.K. would be welcomed into the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) “with open arms” after Brexit, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said.Abe's comments to Financial Times came just before the crucial few weeks that will shape a Brexit deal between the U.K. and the EU.He said Britain would lose its role as a gateway to the EU following Brexit, but would still remain a country “equipped with global strength”, but also warned the negotiating sides to use “wisdom” to avoid a no-deal scenario.“I hope that both sides can contribute their wisdom and at least avoid a so-called disorderly Brexit,” Abe said. “I truly hope that the negative impact of Brexit to the global economy, including Japanese businesses, will be minimised,” he added.The TPP has 11 members including Japan, Canada, Australia, Malaysia and Mexico.Brexit talks have stalled after the EU rejected British Prime Minister Theresa May’s Chequers deal in September during an informal summit held in Salzburg.UK PM May seeks support as others draw Brexit battle linesThe U.K. is “not afraid” to leave the EU “with no deal if it has to,” May said last week.Speaking at the Conservative Party autumn conference, May said leaving the bloc with no deal would be tough and difficult at first with tariffs imposed, however, the U.K. would eventually prosper.Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab also accused the EU of not matching Britain's efforts in his speech, demanding “more respect” from the bloc in Brexit talks.The U.K. and EU negotiators will meet in mid-October and try to ink a deal on sticky issues such as the future of the border between Northern Ireland and Ireland, citizens’ rights, and future trade relations between the sides.An emergency Brexit summit will be called if the parties progress on a possible deal, according to EU leaders.The U.K. is set to leave the EU on March 29, 2019.Rabat leaves Japan-hosted TICAD meeting over Polisario
UK welcome to join Pacific trade deal, Japanese PM says