BERLIN: German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned the UK to avoid illusions about future relations with the European Union, saying it won’t get favoured treatment once it leaves the bloc.
“We will ensure the cherry-picking principle won’t apply in the negotiations,” Merkel said to applause in a speech to Germany’s lower house of parliament Tuesday. “There must be — and there will be — a palpable difference between a country that wants to be part of the European Union and one that doesn’t.”
Hours before heading from Berlin to an EU summit in Brussels where leaders will seek to start building a united response to the referendum, Merkel struck her toughest tone toward Britain yet. She reiterated that the UK can’t have informal talks on a new relationship with the EU before the government in London files its application to leave.
“There shouldn’t be the slightest misunderstanding about the conditions laid out in the European treaties for a case like this,” Merkel said. “My only advice to our British friends is don’t delude yourself about the necessary decisions that need to be taken.”
