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Luxembourg / AFP
EU President Donald Tusk insisted on Thursday there would be no talks with Britain before London triggers the divorce process, saying he wants to “protect the interests” of the bloc’s remaining members. Tusk added that in the wake of the Brexit vote, the 27 EU leaders who are meeting without Britain in Slovakia on September 16 must focus on “security” at a time of other problems including the migration crisis.
Speaking after talks with Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, Tusk said the Bratislava summit would study life after Brexit but would not discuss a negotiating strategy for a future relationship with Britain. “Our position is crystal clear: there will be no negotiations without notification,” Tusk told reporters.
“This principle is enshrined in our treaties. And it is there for a reason: to protect the interests of the members of the union that want to stay together, not the one which decides to leave,” the former Polish premier added. “Therefore, we shall not give up on this principle.”