Time is running out: Germany urges UK to move in Brexit talks

Time is running out: Germany urges UK to move in Brexit talks

ON October 13, 2017 6:42 PM / IN News / BY
Ugoh Solomon Chinonso
It is up to Britain to move Brexit talks forward, Germany said on Friday, warning that “time is running out” for London to negotiate the deal it wants.
A day after the EU’s Chief Negotiator, Michel Barnier, said the talks were deadlocked over money and could not progress to discussions about future trade ties, German Government Spokesman, Steffen Seibert, urged Britain to act before an EU summit in December.

File: A demonstrator holds up a placard saying “Stand together Stop Brexit” at an anti-Brexit protest in Trafalgar Square in central London on June 28, 2016.
EU leaders attempted to rescue the European project and Prime Minister David Cameron sought to calm fears over Britain’s vote to leave the bloc as ratings agencies downgraded the country. Britain has been pitched into uncertainty by the June 23 referendum result, with Cameron announcing his resignation, the economy facing a string of shocks and Scotland making a fresh threat to break away. / AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLIS
EU leaders will discuss Brexit at that meeting, Seibert said.
“This means Great Britain still has it in its own hands whether there will be enough progress so that the second phase of negotiations can start.”
British Prime Minister, Theresa May, told parliament on Monday it was up to the EU to move talks to the next phase, saying: “the ball is in their court”.
But her spokesman said on Friday that May would have “more to say” on the financial settlement at an EU summit next week.
Germany’s biggest industry group has advised companies active in Britain to make provisions for a “very hard Brexit” as London lacked a clear strategy.
German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, says London should not expect a special deal, and that it is more important to keep the remaining 27 member states together.