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Hollande expects to conclude talks on Brexit by 2019

Xinhua, August 30, 2016 Adjust font size:

Formal talks to prepare the departure of Britain from the European Union (EU) should be concluded by 2019, French President Francois Hollande said on Tuesday.

"The British people's vote to leave the European Union is not an economic or a circumstantial decision. This decision is irreversible," Hollande told French ambassadors at an annual meeting.

"For France, everything must be concluded by 2019," he added.

The French leader noted that any delay in Brexit talks would raise risks of "uncertainty and instability which would not be good, either for the United Kingdom or Europe."

Hollande also reiterated that Britain should respect the free movement of EU citizens if it wanted to remain part of the free-trade union.

In June, Britain voted to leave the EU via a referendum. Endit