German Chancellor Calls for 'Prudent Negotiations' on Britain's Exit

Angela Merkel, the Chancellor of Germany, referred to Britain as a 'close partner' for Europe on Saturday and called for 'prudent and rational' negotiations regarding Britain's exit from the European Union. On a day when the foreign ministers of six founding countries of the EU emphasized the need for Britain to exit the EU as soon as possible following the exit referendum, Reuters reported that Merkel's tone on the matter was 'more conciliatory.' She stated that negotiations should be pursued in a 'good and working atmosphere' and emphasized that 'Britain will remain a close partner that is economically linked to us.' The German Chancellor also added that there is no rush to begin the process of Britain's exit from the EU. Merkel stressed that 'while this process should not take years, I will not insist on a short timeline.' On Saturday, following an emergency meeting of the founding members of the EU regarding the exit referendum, the foreign ministers of six countries urged the British Prime Minister to hand over his position to new leadership so that the exit process could begin 'as soon as possible.' Previously, four senior EU officials had issued a joint statement urging London to implement the exit decision 'as soon as possible' to prevent losses resulting from a period of uncertainty. After the results of the exit referendum were confirmed, British Prime Minister David Cameron announced that he would resign in three months, coinciding with the Conservative Party congress, and it would be up to the new Prime Minister to pursue the separation from the EU. Reuters quoted EU officials as saying that the union does not actually have a problem with a few months' delay in the exit process, but if such a delay occurs at the end of this year, it may interfere with negotiations related to the EU's future budget and the union's electoral campaigns. They are also concerned that after Cameron's resignation, someone may take over the premiership who could unnecessarily delay the exit process. Merkel's statements regarding the timing of Britain's exit from the EU come as Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the German Foreign Minister, emphasized after the emergency meeting of the EU founders in Berlin that Britain should not delay the complex exit process. He added, 'We all agree that this process should begin as soon as possible to avoid a long-lasting limbo and to focus on the future of Europe.' In agreement with Steinmeier, Jean-Marc Ayrault, the French Foreign Minister, also stated that the exit negotiations should proceed quickly since other EU members need to inject fresh incentives into the European project. He emphasized that 'we need to give a new meaning to Europe before populism fills the gap,' and Europe cannot wait until October to begin the exit process and replace Cameron. The French Foreign Minister also mentioned that other European leaders would put 'significant pressure' on David Cameron in their Tuesday meeting to expedite the exit process. All of this comes as the EU designated a special group on Saturday to follow up on Britain's exit negotiations. In this context, Scotland is taking steps to maintain its EU membership.