Theresa May asks European leaders for time to negotiate Brexit

British Prime Minister Theresa May asked European leaders for “time” to prepare negotiations on the United Kingdom exit from the European Union, according to a Downing Street spokesperson on Thursday.

May spoke via telephone on Wednesday evening with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Francois Hollande and Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny.

“On all the phone calls, the prime minister emphasized her commitment to delivering the will of the British people to leave the European Union,” said an official spokesperson.

“The prime minister explained that we would need some time to prepare for these negotiations and spoke of her hope that these could be conducted in a constructive and positive spirit,” added the spokesperson.

In conversation with Merkel, the two leaders agreed that they are in favor of establishing a “constructive relationship” while recognizing the importance of “close cooperation between the UK and Germany.”

The premier underlined to Hollande the importance of bilateral relations in security, defense and border control.

“The prime minister offered her best wishes to the president and the people of France for Bastille Day and the president invited the prime minister to visit Paris,” he explained.

In her conversation with the Irish prime minister the two officials agreed to maintain “strong collaboration” between the two countries.