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Brexit talks won’t be held in French: May

British Prime minister Theresa May gives a press conference on the second day of an European Union leaders summit on October 21, 2016 at the European Council, in Brussels. (Photo by AFP)

British Prime Minister Theresa May has rejected the idea of carrying out negotiations over the UK’s divorce from the European Union in French.

“We will conduct the negotiations in the way that is going to make sure we get the right deal for the United Kingdom,” May told reporters after an EU summit in Brussels, Belgium on Friday.

She made the remarks after former French foreign minister Michel Barnier, who is currently running the talks for the European commission, has reportedly said he would prefer to use his native tongue in meetings and documents.

According to a commission spokesperson, no decision has been taken on the language for the Brexit talks yet.

May also said that Britain wanted to retain its central role in EU meetings and decisions until it leaves the bloc.

She noted that she had played an active role in the talks and was not "backwards in coming forwards."

“I have played my full part, and other member states want the United Kingdom to play a full part as long as we are members of the EU.”

France's President Francois Hollande (L) shakes hands with Britain's Prime minister Theresa May (R) as Luxembourg's Prime minister Xavier Bettel (C) looks on, during an European Union leaders summit on October 20, 2016 at the European Council, in Brussels. (Photo by AFP)

Her remarks, however, angered European leaders, according to Manfred Weber, leader of the Christian Democrats in the European Parliament.

“When somebody wants to leave a club, it is not normal that such a member wants to decide about the future of this club. That is really creating a lot of anger about the behavior of the British government,” Weber said.

“If you want to leave please do so, but don’t decide for the European Union,” he added.

In a referendum on June 23, nearly 52 percent of Britons voted to end their country’s 42-year membership in the EU.

However, Britain and the EU have been at odds over a string of issues, particularly the UK’s inclination to remain a member of the European single market after leaving the bloc.

On October 2, May said that she would formally begin the Brexit process by the end of March 2017, meaning that Britain would leave the bloc by spring 2019, before the country’s next general elections.


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