UK PM May To Lay Out Optimistic Vison Of UK, EU Future

By Les Commons

     LONDON (MNI) - UK Prime Minister Theresa May will attempt to break a Brexit

negotiation logjam on Friday by setting out a vision of what has been described

as a bold new economic and security partnership.

     May is expected to lay down a plan for a time-limited transition or

implementation period  to offer stability for both citizens and business. 

     May, who will speak in Florence, Italy later Friday, is expected to say the

UK's departure from the European Union will bring inevitable difficulties but it

is in everyone's interest for current separation talks to succeed.

     "...while the UK's departure from the EU is inevitably a difficult process,

it is in all of our interests for our negotiations to succeed ... so I believe

we share a profound sense of responsibility to make this change work smoothly

and sensibly, not just for people today but for the next generation who will

inherit the world we leave them," she will say.

     And success in the talks will leave both the UK and the EU with a bright

future, the PM will likely say.

     "The eyes of the world are on us but if we can be imaginative and creative

about the way we establish this new relationship ... I believe we can be

optimistic about the future we can build for the United Kingdom and for the

European Union."

     Although making no quantitative promises in respect to a final financial

settlement, it is likely May will lay down a broad-brush outline for EU

negotiators.

     But overall, she is expected to explain how she sees a bright future for

the UK, which will continue to be a place to do business for international

firms.

     "...our fundamental strengths are considerable; a legal system respected

around the world; a keen openness to foreign investment; and enthusiasm for

innovation; an ease of doing business; some of the best universities and

researchers you can find anywhere; an exceptional national talent for creativity

and an indomitable spirit."

     May's words will be carefully parsed by EU negotiators and leaders in the

capitals of the 27 'remainers', but as MNI reported Thursday, a senior EU source

reminded the UK government that whatever May says in today's speech, Brussels

won't take it seriously until they see the ink dry on official UK negotiating

papers.

--MNI London Bureau; tel: +44 203-586-2225; email: les.commons@marketnews.com

--MNI BEIJING Bureau; +1 202-371-2121; email: john.carter@mni-news.com

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