EU Parliament chief urges Britain to begin exit talks

LONDON

European Parliament (EP) President Martin Schulz on Thursday met British Prime Minister Theresa May and urged Britain to start the Brexit process as the “earliest possible" date.

“While understanding complexity, I stressed why EP sees need for triggering article 50 as soon as possible and stressed EP’s clear stance on upholding four freedoms,” Schulz said via Twitter after the meeting, in reference to the free movement of goods, capital, services and persons.

Article 50 of the Treaty of Lisbon is the formal mechanism that opens two-year negotiations for ending EU membership.

Schulz said it was a “good first discussion” with May and he assured her the European Parliament would be a “constructive and responsible partner.”

Schulz also met London Mayor Sadiq Khan for the first time Wednesday.

As part of his two-day visit to the U.K., Schulz is expected to meet Jeremy Corbyn on Friday and deliver a speech at the London School of Economics.

Almost 52 percent of British voters rejected their country's 43-year EU membership in a referendum held in June.