International News

BEIJING, (APP/AFP) – European Commission
head Jean-Claude Juncker said Wednesday he hoped relations with
Britain could be “as close as possible” despite the country’s
vote to leave the bloc.
“I want for relations with Britain to be as close as
possible — I will not negotiate with Britain in a hostile
mood,” he told reporters in Beijing.
But he repeated the grouping’s stance that “there will be
no negotiations at any level” before London formally triggers
the Article 50 mechanism to leave.
His comments came as Theresa May prepared to become
Britain’s second female prime minister, after David Cameron
steps down in the wake of the seismic referendum.
Juncker — who had a famously antagonistic
relationship with Cameron in the run up to his appointment as
Commission chief — said he would “miss” the outgoing prime
minister because of their “excellent professional relationship”.
He added that he “looked forward to meeting” May.