‘No turning back’: Britain initiates divorce from EU, triggering two years of talks and an unclear future
Nine months after the shock referendum vote to leave the bloc, Britain handed over a momentous letter to the EU president in Brussels, triggering Article 50 of the bloc’s Lisbon Treaty
Britain launched the process to leave the European Union Wednesday, saying there was “no turning back” from the historic move that has split the country and thrown the bloc’s future into question.
Just days after the EU’s 60th birthday, Britain became the first country ever to seek a divorce, striking a blow at the heart of the union forged from the ashes of the second world war.
“Today the government acts on the democratic will of the British people,” Prime Minister Theresa May told MPs adding, “This is an historic moment from which there can be no turning back.”
Nine months after the shock referendum vote to leave the bloc, Britain handed over a momentous letter to the EU president in Brussels, triggering Article 50 of the bloc’s Lisbon Treaty and firing the starting gun on a two-year countdown towards Brexit.
“We already miss you,” said EU President Donald Tusk in Brussels, after receiving the letter formally notifying him of Britain’s intention to leave.
The notification kick-starts months of what will be protracted and difficult negotiations between London and Brussels over outstanding bills, immigration and future trade ties.