Van Rompuy: No serious Brexit talks before the end of 2017September 15, 2016 - 10:24 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Substantive Brexit talks between the UK and the rest of the EU are unlikely to start much before the end of 2017, a former European Council president says, according to BBC News. Speaking to the BBC, Herman Van Rompuy described the UK's decision to leave the EU as a "political amputation". He said negotiations were unlikely until a new German government was formed after next September's election. The talks will be tough but hopefully of mutual benefit, he said, adding the UK had to make the "first move". The UK voted to leave the EU in a referendum on 23 June . Prime Minister Theresa May has previously said that she will not trigger Article 50 - the formal start of the process of leaving the EU - before 2017. Leaders of every European Union country, apart from the UK, will begin to gather on Thursday, September 15 in the Slovakian capital Bratislava to discuss the future of the bloc. Van Rompuy was president of the European Council, which defines the EU's overall political direction and priorities, from 2009 until 2014. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Ucom launches network modernization efforts in few regions of Armenia In particular, on March 28, the legacy Mobile Switching Subsystem will be replaced with a new one. Baku: EU, U.S. share responsibility for Armenia’s “destabilizing actions” Azerbaijan has declared that the European Union and the United States will share responsibility for any destabilizing actions of Armenia Armenia to sing in 2nd semi-final of Eurovision The organizers of Eurovision 2024 have revealed the running order of the countries in the two semi-finals. Azerbaijan accuses Armenia of arming Karabakh after 2020 Azerbaijan has accused Armenia of “illegally transported ammunition” to Nagorno-Karabakh after the November 9 statement. |