PM embarks on first visit overseas: 20-21 July 2016

New United Kingdom Prime Minister Theresa May visited Berlin and Paris on the 20-21 July 2016 to build relationships with European partners as the UK prepared to negotiate its exit from the European Union.

She held a working dinner with Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin on the 20 July 2016.

The vote of the British electorate in favour of Brexit should not adversely affect good bilateral relations, stressed Chancellor Angela Merkel during the visit.

The two heads of government also discussed international terrorism and the situation in Turkey.

She met President Hollande of France on the 21 July 2016 in Paris. He said he respected the decision of the UK to leave the EU but Brexit negotiations should begin as soon as possible.

• Primary Source

ESO: In Focus: Brexit - The United Kingdom and the European Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/brexit-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union/

ESO: Background information: Holding Europe together [The EU Referendum, 23 June 2016. The United Kingdom and the European Union. The results. Reaction in Germany] http://www.europeansources.info/record/holding-europe-together-the-eu-referendum-23-june-2016-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union-the-results-reaction-in-germany/

ESO: Background information: View from Paris: The need for certainty [The EU Referendum, 23 June 2016. The United Kingdom and the European Union. The results. Reaction in France] http://www.europeansources.info/record/view-from-paris-the-need-for-certainty-the-eu-referendum-23-june-2016-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union-the-results-reaction-in-france/

Deutsche Welle, 20.07.16: Brexit looms large as Germany welcomes new UK Prime Minister Theresa May http://dw.com/p/1JSoo

EurActiv, 20.07.16: Merkel grants May until new year to trigger Article 50 http://www.euractiv.com/section/uk-europe/news/merkel-grants-may-until-new-year-to-trigger-article-50/

The Guardian, 20.07.16: Angela Merkel backs Theresa May's plan not to trigger Brexit this year http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jul/20/angela-merkel-backs-theresa-mays-plan-not-to-trigger-brexit-this-year

BBC News, 20.07.16: Brexit: Theresa May says talks won't start in 2016 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-36841066

Politico, 20.07.16: Merkel, May pledge to stay close despite Brexit http://www.politico.eu/article/angels-merkel-theresa-may-pledge-to-stay-close-despite-brexit-british-politics-german-eu-trading/

UK: GOV.UK: Prime Minister's Office, 20.07.16: PM statement in Berlin: 20 July 2016 https://www.gov.uk/government/news/prime-minister-theresa-mays-statement-in-berlin-20-july-2016

Germany: Federal Government: News, 20.07.16: Close cooperation more important than ever https://www.bundesregierung.de/Content/EN/Artikel/2016/07_en/2016-07-20-mp-may-bei-bkin-merkel_en.html

BBC News, 21.07.16: Hollande urges UK to start Brexit talks as soon as possible http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-36853952

France: Embassy of France in the UK: News, 21.07.16: President Hollande meets UK Prime Minister in Paris http://www.ambafrance-uk.org/President-Hollande-meets-UK-Prime-Minister-in-Paris

UK: GOV.UK: Prime Minister's Office, 21.07.16: Speech. PM statement in Paris: 21 July 2016 https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-statement-in-paris-21-july-2016

Politico, 22.07.16: Why France is unlikely to spoil the Brexit party http://www.politico.eu/article/why-france-is-unlikely-to-spoil-brexit-party-francois-hollande-theresa-may/

EUObserver, 22.07.16: UK accord on EU workers 'crucial', France says https://euobserver.com/uk-referendum/134456

The Conversation, 21.07.16: Why a speedy Brexit is a matter of political life and death for François Hollande https://theconversation.com/why-a-speedy-brexit-is-a-matter-of-political-life-and-death-for-francois-hollande-62849

Carnegie Europe: Strategic Europe, 18.10.17: Judy Asks: Does May Need Merkel for a Brexit Deal? http://carnegieeurope.eu/strategiceurope/73458?lang=en

Politico, 02-05.03.17: May and Merkel: splitting differences http://www.politico.eu/article/theresa-may-angela-merkel-splitting-differences-similarities-uk-germany/

Politico, 04-05.01.17: May-Merkel relationship ‘almost non-existent’ http://www.politico.eu/article/theresa-may-angela-merkel-relationship-almost-non-existent-brexit/

The Guardian, 27.04.17: Angela Merkel attacks British 'illusion' of keeping benefits of EU https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/apr/27/angela-merkel-attacks-british-illusion-of-keeping-benefits-of-eu

---