Theresa May on Brexit: UK is not looking to replicate someone else’s model outside the EU after Brexit
Prime Minister Theresa May has said the UK is not looking to replicate any other country's relationship with the European Union once it has left the bloc.
Speaking after her first EU summit, May said the UK will continue to play a "full and active" role in the EU until after the Brexit process was complete.
"The UK is leaving the EU, but we are not leaving Europe," she insisted.
She called for a "mature and co-operative relationship with our European partners", and added that after the UK has left the EU, it will remain "open and outward looking", and will trade "freely" with other countries.
Read more: Theresa May – the first 100 days
Other options
May's speech, during her 100th day in office, will pour cold water on speculation the UK will look to either Switzerland or Norway to inspire its relationship with the EU.
However, the so-called Norway option has been criticised for being costly while giving the country no say in how its money is spent, while some suggest Switzerland has been forced by its deal into loosening its migration policy against its will.
May's speech came on the same day that the EU's lead Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, suggested the UK's departure from the bloc should be conducted in French – although ITV quoted an EU spokeswoman saying there was "no language regime" for the negotiations.
Strong and dependable
Yesterday May vowed the UK will remain a strong partner to the EU throughout negotiations.
“The UK is leaving the EU but we will continue to play a full role until we leave and we'll be a strong and dependable partner after we have left," she told reporters.
Meanwhile, European Council president Donald Tusk dismissed suggestions May was in for a grilling at the summit in Brussels.
"Some media described her first meeting in the European Council as entering the lion's den. It is not true. It is more like a nest of doves – just look at me."