EU commission still refuses UK talks before Article 50 triggered

Ambassador Jean de Ruyt is quoted in an article by The Guardian regarding the European Commission’s rejection of Theresa May’s call for preparatory talks on Brexit before the UK’s formal resignation from the EU. de Ruyt suggests there was a “grey area” where informal talks could happen, but governments will not start negotiations with the UK without notification of Article 50. “They have said that too loudly, they will not change.”

de Ruyt adds that the rest of the EU would be pleased May had set an Article 50 deadline. “The uncertainty was the biggest problem, because many people here did not believe it will happen. Now we know exactly what the timetable will be.”