German Chancellor, Angela Merkel says some British people have illusions about discussing the UK's future ties with the EU

 

   German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, says some British people have illusions about discussing the UK's future ties with the EU at the same time as nailing down the UK's Brexit terms.

  Merkel told German Members of Parliament that an EU-UK deal can only be discussed once the exit issues, such as UK payments to the EU budget, are resolved.
  The UK initiated the formal procedure to leave the EU on March 29. It sets a two-year deadline for completion of the exit negotiations.
  EU leaders are to meet on Saturday to adopt their joint negotiating position on Brexit, as they are working on the basis of draft guidelines issued on March 31.
  Official talks will not begin until after the UK general election on June 8. Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister, Theresa May, has called for the early election, saying she needed to strengthen her hand in Brexit negotiations.