European council pres.: No time to lose on Brexit talks

The European Council President has urged the British prime minister to start Brexit talks as soon as possible to minimize disruption.

Donald Tusk said the two sides have no time to lose on the withdrawal negotiations under Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty. Tusk added that the talks should go ahead in the best possible spirit to secure the least disruptive outcome for EU citizens, businesses and countries after March 20-19. Earlier, EU officials expressed concern about possible effects of the UK general election results on Brexit talks. E-U budget commissioner Guenther Oettinger said a weak British negotiating partner would further complicate talks on London's exit from the bloc. France and Finland have also talked about uncertainties and complexities surrounding the negotiations.