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 | Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. |