Merkel vows to strengthen EU, tells UK no "cherry-picking"
[BERLIN] Chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday underscored Germany's determination to both maintain close ties with Britain and work to strengthen the European Union after last week's historic UK vote to leave the bloc.
"We sense how critical is that all the remaining 27 countries in the European Union demonstrate that we are willing and capable of taking the right steps forward," Ms Merkel told the German parliament.
She welcomed all proposals that helped strengthen the EU, but said it crucial to avoid any measures that could encourage other countries to leave and said there could be no "cherry-picking" by London in its forthcoming negotiations.
Ms Merkel said it was up to Britain to initiate next steps to leave the EU before any informal or formal negotiations about its future ties with the bloc could begin.
REUTERS
BT is now on Telegram!
For daily updates on weekdays and specially selected content for the weekend. Subscribe to t.me/BizTimes
International
China says Hamas and Fatah express will for reconciliation
US consumer confidence at lowest level since 2022
Record gold prices boost recycling: WGC
Malaysian fast food operator QSR shelves IPO plans amid boycott campaign: sources
WHO warns of bird flu risk spreading to cows outside US
Sri Lanka’s key inflation rate rises to 1.5% in April