Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has called Theresa May to establish clarity on the UK’s Brexit timeline
Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has called for more certainty on when the UK plans to quit the EU following last month's referendum.
Last week French president Francois Hollande called on the UK to begin formal Brexit talks as soon as possible, and today Renzi has again stressed the need for clarity on the future of the EU.
“What is essential is to establish certainty so that we can build together a new relationship of friendship,” Renzi said at a joint press conference with Theresa May in Rome today.
“It's in everybody's interest to be able to succeed to have a vision or specific timeline,” he added.
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May's visit to Rome followed trips to both Paris and Berlin, and she will visit both Poland and Slovakia later this week.
In each trip, May has stressed the UK's commitment to collaborating with Europe on issues like migration and terrorism after the Brexit vote.
And in Rome today, she noted that Italy is the UK's eighth largest export market.
“We want that trade to continue but of course it will take time to work out the nature of our relationship.
“That's why we should take time to prepare for these negotiations, so that both sides can identify their objectives and opportunities,” she said.