German chancellor Merkel out on the wires 27 April

I think I'm going to have to pop to the kitchen and get the bigger ice bucket for my fingers today.

  • shares view with Juncker that negotiations can only properly get going after 8 June election

They were never really going to get going much before then anyhow.

  • top priority will be rights of EU citizens in UK
  • ready to give fair offer to Britons living in EU
  • can only address Britain's future relations with EU when exit sorted
  • makes no sense to discuss Britain's EU exit and future ties with EU in parallel
  • has an interest in a prosperous UK as a partner, will be fair in talks, expect UK to be fair too

Italy's PM Gentiloni:

  • Brexit negotiations will be complicated but UK remains "rooted" and historic friend and ally

GBPUSD still enjoying the moment at 1.2908 as EURGBP continues to fall to test 0.8450 support/demand.

Merkel and May : Tickets still on sale