Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Britain Initiates Formal Withdrawal from the European Union (VIDEO)

Free at last.

At the Los Angeles Times, "'Brexit' begins as Britain gives formal notice of withdrawal from the EU":

The formal two-year process governing Britain's departure from the European Union began in earnest Wednesday as a letter was delivered to the president of the European Council giving official notice that the country wishes to withdraw from the political and economic confederation.

The letter, signed by Prime Minister Theresa May and several pages long, will fundamentally shape the future of Britain and Europe for generations to come.

The letter was handed over by Sir Tim Barrow, Britain’s ambassador to the EU, and European Council President Donald Tusk released a brief statement on Twitter acknowledging receipt.

At a news conference in Brussels, Tusk appeared somber and said: "This is about damage control."

"Our goal is clear," he said. "To minimize the cost for the EU citizens, businesses and member states."

The move comes after the British public voted 52% to 48% last June, following a bruising referendum campaign, to leave the 28-member bloc after more than four decades.

During a statement to lawmakers in the House of Commons minutes after the letter was delivered, May said this was a "historic moment from which there can be no turning back."

She struck a conciliatory tone and pledged to “get the right deal for every single person in this country." She also implored all sections of society, regardless of how they voted, to use this moment to unite.

"We can, together, make a success of this moment and we can, together, build a stronger, fairer, better Britain — a Britain that our children and grandchildren are proud to call home," she said...
More.

0 comments: