British Prime Minister signs historic letter officially kicking off Brexit

On the evening of March 28, British Prime Minister Theresa May signed a historic letter officially starting the process of Britain leaving the European Union (EU), also known as Brexit. The letter will be delivered to the EU headquarters in Brussels on March 29.

British Prime Minister Theresa May. Photo: Sputnik

The UK Prime Minister's Office released a photo showing Prime Minister May signing the letter, with the Union Jack and a portrait of Britain's first Prime Minister, Robert Walpole, in the background.

The letter is expected to be delivered by British Ambassador to the EU Tim Barrow to EU President Donald Tusk on March 29. Accordingly, the content of the letter will officially notify Mr. Tusk of the UK's intention to leave the EU, by activating Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, starting a 2-year negotiation process to end the UK's 44-year membership of the bloc.

Also that evening, the British Prime Minister had separate phone calls with EU President Tusk, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The British Prime Minister's Office said in the phone calls, the leaders agreed that "a strong Europe is in the interests of all sides and the UK will remain a trusted and close ally."

The leaders also agreed on the importance of entering negotiations in a constructive and positive spirit, as well as ensuring a smooth and orderly withdrawal process.

It is expected that on March 29, Prime Minister May will give a speech to the British Parliament and pledge to represent the interests of all those living in the UK, including EU citizens, during negotiations with Brussels.

On June 23, 2016, 52% of British people voted to leave the EU in a referendum.

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