The European Union must avoid a hectic process of the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the bloc, Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite said on Friday at an informal EU leaders' meeting in Austria, according to a presidential office statement.
VILNIUS (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 20th September, 2018) The European Union must avoid a hectic process of the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the bloc, Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite said on Friday at an informal EU leaders' meeting in Austria, according to a presidential office statement.
Grybauskaite gave a speech at the informal summit, devoted to Brexit and migration, in the Austrian city of Salzburg. The meeting started on Wednesday and is due to conclude later in the day.
"President Dalia Grybauskaite, who is attending the meeting together with other leaders, underlined that it was in the interest of Lithuania as well as of the entire EU to avoid uncontrollable Brexit and ensure that it does not cause any negative consequences to Europe and the United Kingdom," the presidential press service said in a statement.
The Lithuanian leader noted that it is important to agree on all most contentious issues in the divorce talks in order to "ensure smooth negotiations and mutually beneficial outcome," according to the statement.
On September 10, EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said that London and Brussels could finalize their agreements on Brexit in late October or the beginning of November. The United Kingdom and the European Union have to address three important issues, which will enable the smooth Brexit process with respect for the two parties' interests, including to finalize a treaty on the UK departure from the European Union, resolve the issue of the Irish border and decide on the format of future relations.
UK Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday called on the European Union to take a more impartial stance in the Brexit talks, following Barnier's criticism of London's recent initiatives related to its looming withdrawal from the bloc, and described some of the bloc's demands as being "at odds with the reality."
