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Brexit Negotiations: Macron Says ’Door Remains Open’ To UK Remaining In EU

Brexit Negotiations: Macron Says ’Door Remains Open’ To UK Remaining In EU
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Local Editor

French President Emmanuel Macron said "the door remains open" for Britain to change its mind about Brexit, after talks with British Prime Minister Theresa May in Paris.

Brexit Negotiations: Macron Says ’Door Remains Open’ To UK Remaining In EU

Macron threw out the olive branch, even amid rising EU anger about the delays to the exit talks - which he said should be "launched as soon as possible".

"Of course the door remains open, always open until the Brexit negotiations come to an end," Macron said, when asked if Britain could yet stay in the EU.

He further noted that it was not for him to say whether the decision should be questioned. "Once the negotiations have started we should be well aware that it'll be more difficult to move backwards."

Alongside him, PM May dodged a question about whether she would pursue a "softer" Brexit after her election setback, insisting there was a "unity of purpose" in the UK about leaving.

She also refused to respond to John Major's warning of the danger of violence returning to Northern Ireland if she strikes a deal with the Democratic Unionist Party, to prop her up in Parliament.

Instead, on the withdrawal talks, May claimed: "I confirmed to President Macron that the timetable for the Brexit negotiation remains on course and will begin next week."

However, in Brussels, it was reported that the British delegation was unable to say on what date it wanted the talks to start when asked to do so by Michael Barnier, the European Commission's chief Brexit negotiator.

Almost certainly, they will not get underway next Monday as May had promised repeatedly during the election campaign.

On whether the terms of Brexit would now change, May said only: "I think there is a unity of purpose among people in the United Kingdom.

"It's a unity of purpose, having voted to leave the EU, that their Government gets on with that and makes a success of it, and we are committed to developing a deep and special partnership with the EU."

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team

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