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EC dodges Brexit discussion before London triggers divorce talks

Xinhua, August 18, 2016 Adjust font size:

The European Commission (EC) on Wednesday said it would not involve in current debates on Britain's ties with the European Union (EU) before London activates "Article 50", the official trigger to kick off Britain's divorce talks with the bloc.

The Commission would not engage in preparatory discussions with Britain at this time before any notification was made to the European Council, notifying the activation of Article 50, European Commission spokesperson Natasha Bertaud told a regular press briefing.

Her remarks came when being asked to comment on whether Britain could attain "special status" after Brexit happens, a topic stirred by Michael Roth, minister of state for Europe at Germany's Federal Foreign Office, on Tuesday.

"We already said there is no negotiation without notification and we will not go beyond that now," Bertaud told reporters, adding that the Commission, the bloc's executive body, would not comment on all various comments going on.

British media reported that the German minister held out the possibility of Britain achieving "special status" in its ties with the EU and said London should be ready to start Brexit talks with Brussels at the start of next year.

"Given Britain's size, significance and its long membership of the European Union, there will probably be a special status which only bears limited comparison to that of countries that have never belonged to the European Union," Roth was quoted as saying.

The Commission as well refused to comment on possible timing of Britain's activation of "Article 50".

"We already set out our position and the Commission's position on the notification on the Article 50, I am not going to comment on the comments of other ministers across Europe," said Bertaud. Endit