German Chancellor Merkel speaking while on a trip to Mexico 10 June

  • sees no obstacles in the way of beginning Brexit talks as scheduled
  • believes Britain will stick to the timetable
  • European Union is "ready".
  • hopes Britain will remain a good partner following the talks

"I assume that Britain, from what I heard from the prime minister today, wants to stick to its negotiating plan.

"We want to negotiate quickly, we want to stick to the time plan, and so at this point I don't think there is anything to suggest these negotiations cannot start as was agreed."

The talks are due to start on June 19, coincidentally the day of the Queens Speech which signals the start of the new parliament and sets out the government's plans in both domestic and foreign policy.

Michael Fuchs, senior economic adviser to the German chancellor, told the BBC the result meant it was time for Mrs May "to face realities" and soften her approach.

"Her wish and will was not really too much accepted by the British people," he said. "I have the feeling, because otherwise they would have given her a better vote.

"Maybe, this is a chance that we can come up to a more reasonable Brexit negotiations because in the last time (recently) I really had the feeling that everything was just being very tough and it doesn't make sense to be tough.

"We want to have a fair deal with Britain and we want to have a fair final Brexit negotiations."

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