Macron, who has expressed impatience over repeated postponements of the deadline for Britain's departure from the European Union, made the remarks as he hosted the new president of the European Council, Charles Michel, at the Elysee presidential palace. "We must be able to move forward quickly" after Thursday's election, he said. Twenty-seven European Union leaders -- all minus Boris Johnson -- will meet in Brussels on Thursday and Friday to discuss Britain's pending departure from the union, the subject of years of fraught negotiations between London and Brussels. Michel underlined the importance of building "a close relationship with Britain" after Brexit, calling it "an extremely important partner for the European Union". This week's talks will focus on the EU's post-Brexit ties with Britain, particularly regarding trade.

Source: The Local December 11, 2019 16:41 UTC