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Britain vows to strengthen security, defense cooperation with EU after Brexit

Xinhua, September 6, 2016 Adjust font size:

Britain's Brexit minister pledged on Monday that his country will maintain or even strengthen its cooperation with the Europe Union (EU) on security and defense after its exit from the 28-nation bloc.

David Davis, who was appointed by Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May to oversee the negotiations on Brexit, also told the parliament that it is in the interests of both Britain and the EU that they have "the freest possible trading relations."

"We do not see Brexit as ending our relationship with Europe," he said. "It is about starting a new one."

The minister's comments came as he and other members of parliaments debated a public petition calling for a second Brexit referendum which has so far attracted more than 4.1 million signatures.

Davis said that securing a deal that is in Britain's national interest does not and must not mean turning its back on Europe.

"We want a strong EU, succeeding economically and politically, working with Britain in many areas of common interest," he added. Endit