EU to UK: no free trade a la carte
"There will be no single market 'á la carte'" for the UK when it leaves the European Union (EU), according to Donald Tusk, President of the European Council. Tusk made the comment after an informal meeting on June 29 of 27 EU heads of state. It was the first meeting of EU leaders in more than 40 years that the UK had not attended. It followed a June 28 meeting at which UK Prime Minister David Cameron outlined his views on the results of the UK's recent Brexit vote. Tusk said that the EU's remaining leaders "are absolutely determined to remain united and work closely together as 27." He explained that leaders had agreed that "there will be no negotiations of any kind until the UK formally notifies its intention to withdraw." According to Tusk, leaders hope to have the UK "as a close partner in the future." However, they also "made it crystal clear … that access to the single market requires acceptance of all four freedoms, including the freedom of movement. There will be no single market "á la carte'." Tusk added that leaders "have started a political reflection on the future of [the] EU with 27 states." They will meet in Bratislava on September 16 to continue...