Hollande tells UK no single market without free movement

PARIS

French President Francois Hollande delivers a statement after a defence council at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, July 22, 2016 following last week's deadly truck attack in Nice. REUTERS photo

French President Francois Hollande on July 21 told Britain it would have to choose between access to the single market and the free movement of people when it begins its negotiations on leaving the European Union.

The French leader accepted Britain’s right to delay formal exit talks, but described the timing of its departure as “the sooner the better,” following the country’s shock vote to leave last month.

“It’s the most crucial point... Britain will have to choose: stay in the single market and accept free movement or have another status,” he said without elaborating on the latter option, according to AFP.

Speaking after talks in Paris with British Prime Minister Theresa May, Hollande took a tougher line than German Chancellor Angela Merkel a day earlier in Berlin.

“The United Kingdom has decided to leave the European Union. It’s their choice, it’s their responsibility and we respect that decision.... There can be no discussions, no pre-negotiation before the negotiation,” Hollande told a joint news conference with May.

On the timing for the talks, Hollande acknowledged that Britain would need time to prepare a negotiating position.

“There can be preparations for this negotiation,” he said.

“But I repeat. The sooner the better, it’s in the common interest, of Europe, the United Kingdom, and our economies,” he added.

May said she was committed to achieving a deal that reflected the sentiments expressed by most Britons in the June 23 referendum.

“The message the British people gave in their vote for the UK to leave the EU had a very clear message: that we should introduce some controls to the movement of individuals from countries in the European Union into the UK.

“I’m clear the government should deliver, and will deliver on that for the British people.

“But we also want to get the right deal on trade in goods and services,” she said, calling it a matter of importance to both Britain and its EU partners.