britain is leaving the european union. we are going to make out european union. we are going to make our own european union. we are going to make our own decisions and our own laws. we are going to take control of the things that matter most to us and we are going to take this opportunity to build a stronger, fairer britain, a country that our children and grandchildren are proud to call home. we will not give this government a free hand to use brexit to attack rights, protections and cut services. or create a tax dodgers' paradise. so let me be clear, mr speaker, the prime minister says that no deal is better than a bad deal, but the reality is, no deal is a bad deal. the prime minister says that she thinks that brexit will bring unity to the united kingdom. it will not. on this issue, it is not a united kingdom and the prime minister needs to respect, respect the differences across the nations of the united kingdom. if she does not, if she remains intransigent and if she deny scotland a choice in our future, she will make scottish independence inevitable. i wil

leaving the european union. he summit began by welcoming president truck as president they have council. i welcome this. with talked about the challenge of mass migration, the threat to stability in the balkans and the measures needed to booths europe's growth and competitiveness, which will remain importance for us as we build a new relationship between the e.u. and a self-governing, global britain. we showed how britain will continue to play a role in europe after leaving. i welcomed the progress in implementing the action plan which we agreed at the informal e.u. summit in malta last month this included italy strengthen asylum processes and increasing returns and greece implementing the e.u.-turkey deal, where the u.k. is providing extra staff. i argued that we must do more to dismant they will vile people smuggling ring that profit from the migrants' misery and are subjected many to unimaginable abuses. with coordinated and committed action we can make a difference. indeed, just last month, an operation betw

we trade with and operates the european market and allow the european businesses to do the same. the successful and competitive market in the future will remain in the national interest and i call for the steps to complete the single market and the digital single market.t. [laughter] i also welcome the completion of the free trade agreement between the eu and canada and japan in the coming months.s. for these agreements, that they will lay the foundation.u. [inaudible] at the same time we will also see the opportunity to forge our own trade deals and reach out beyond for the friends and allies alike. w if we cannot announce a two-day conference with the largest trade delegation to visit building on the trade we already do every year and we also strengthen the global relationships we forged with thn diverse alliance and the commonwealth that we celebrated on commonwealth day yesterday. we've remain on track with the timetable i set out six months ago and i will return before tho end of this month and i've begun the process for which the united kingdom will leave the european union

you obviously, as president of the european commission, are a great believer in the european union. but when theresa may is not there on saturday, what will be in your mind as the way to stop others following suit? other member states walking out the door? will you try and use the negotiations around brexit to put others off? even if the british pm is not there, i will have the british people in my hearts. because britain belongs to europe in a way that britain is part of europe. so brexit or not brexit, we should not forget that the european continent has a duty when it comes to britain, because without churchill and without the resilience of the british people, we wouldn't be here at where we are now. so i'm everything but in a hostile mood when it comes to britain. but i don't want others to take the same avenue, because, let's suppose for one second that others would leave. two, three, four, five — that would be the end. how do you balance that in brexit negotiations? on the one hand, wanting to keep uk close, as you've said. but on the other, wanting to ensure that others are

the united kingdom has formally given notice that it's leaving the european union. a letter — signed by theresa may — was handed to the president of the european council. the prime minister said she wanted a smooth and orderly brexit. but, the german chancellor angela merkel has warned that the terms of britain's divorce have to be settled before any talks on trade can begin. our political editor laura kuenssberg starts our coverage. some moments make us. this is one. the minute in westminster, belfast, edinburgh and cardiff that the united kingdom formally changed course. the article 50 process is now underway and in accordance with the wishes of the british people, the united kingdom is leaving the european union. this is an historic moment from which there can be no turning back. probably our last ambassador inside the european union handing over the letter at 12:25pm. the document that says we are on our way out. theresa may's signature on our departure. herjob now, to make it work. this, her hope. a country that goes out into the world to build relationship

britain is leaving the european union. we are going to make our own decisions and our own laws, we are going to take control of the things that matter most to us and we are going to take this opportunity to build a stronger, fairer britain, a country that our children and grandchildren are proud to call home. that is our ambition and opportunity and that is what this government is determined to do. at moments like these, great turning points in our national story, the choices we make to find the character of our nation. we can choose to say the task ahead is too great, we can turn our faces apart and believe it can't be done or we can look forward with optimism and hope and to believe in the enduring power of the british spirit. i choose to believe in britain and that our best days lie ahead. and i do so because i'm confident we have the vision and the plan to use this moment to build a better britain. for leaving the european union presents us with a unique opportunity. it is this generation's chance to shape a brighter f

the european union, of the european treaties, the european project. that together, we created an added value for everybody of our countries and every of our citizens. naturally the parliament will commit more details resolutions later on on specific issues, in the coming months. normally that will start after the summer break when i should say that in negotiations between the european union and the uk are really on speed. if i may use that expression. thank you. we will take a few questions. we will either news conference for now in brussels. unprecedented and reg retta ble, in brussels. unprecedented and regrettable, two of the words described —— used to describe today's events. let's rejoined ben brown. diva hofstadter was taking a tough line. he said it wasn't a question of revenge or punishment. setting out some tough lines for the next few yea rs of some tough lines for the next few years of negotiations. the president of the european parliament also saying that to not be a member of the eu cannot be the same as being a member. in other words

it is a piece of european law. if this became disputed it would have to go to the european court ofjustice. there is a legal case underway in dublin at the moment we british barrister is trying to persuade an irish court to take exactly this question, is article 50 remarkable, can we change our mind, and send it to the european court ofjustice for a legal decision. barbera has my favourite question. why do we have to negotiate terms for leaving the eu at all? good question, barbara. i mean, we could just walk out, repeal the legislation that makes as members of the european union and leave. that would be pretty chaotic. for a start on trading relationships, paris would appear overnight. import and export tariffs would hit by jewish overnight. import and export tariffs would hit byjewish business is very hard. —— would hit british business is very hard. the car industry relies massively on parts of cars which cross borders between britain and europe through four times as they are being made. a car door will go f

dominating european politics at the moment is the centre right group of european political parties. it's called the european people's party, and it's enjoying a two—day conference in malta. the german chancellor angela merkel is there, as is the european commission president, jean claude juncker, and brexit of course, among the topics being talked about. i wish to say here that brexit is of everything. i wish to say here that brexit isn't the end of everything. we must consider it to be a new beginning, something that is stronger, something that is better. jean—claude juncker‘s view there. so much for the set—piece statements. perhaps it is better to step away from the platform speeches, and to focus on more specific areas and at more length. to that end, let's go to berlin, because our diplomatic editor mark urban is there, and he has been speaking to the german defence minister. i know you have been speaking about a number of different things, but in particular, just the issue of the german attitudes towards the article 50 talks. what have you been hearing? well, the fasci

this is the european close. samsung is unveiling right now the latest edition of a flagship smartphone, the galaxy s8. it is the first since they recalled the note 7 device last year over fire danger. it is betting the new design will bring users back. mark gurman in san francisco. this headline would make me very curious about this new device market. this is called facial recognition? >> this is a big deal. there is lots of new fonts analogy. voice assistant basically lets you control the whole phone with your voice. with siri on the iphone, you hold down the button and you can do certain actions in the voice application but on the samsung phone it is just systemwide voice control. racial recognition is cool as well. -- facial recognition is cool as well. mark: how critical is that for samsung now? this is make it or break it. if it succeeds samsung can go back to being one of the premier smartphone makers and if it flops samsung is in a bad position. especially after the explosion situation with the note 7. a

>> well, we all remember the european union until we're not a member of the european union. and up and running and we will certainly be involved and we have probably the best technology and europe and and security and we will want to stay i imagine when we leave the european union cooperation that we we'll want to continue. these wise and cables when codes do not respect international boundaries. very obediently. as a result we need to recognize that it's a national service by getting involved in it. i certainly would not want to see duplicated capability except in so far as it is in some form additi additive, the question is more quickly as it should be into that kind of area. is it a sensible strategy to leave this to natural governments i think my instrints on that is not. >> one more question. i think you put them back. let me say i hope as you leave this room today, you take two things away from what stephen stayed in his prepared remarks, first, the enormous military capability which the united kingdom brings to our nato alliance, the f-35s, the p-8 patrol aircraft, th

britain is leaving the european union. we are going to make our own decisions and our own laws, we are going to take control of the things that matter most to us and we are going to take this opportunity to build a stronger, fairer britain, a country that our children and grandchildren are proud to call home. that is our ambition and opportunity and that is what this government is determined to do. at moments like these, great turning points in our national story, the choices we make to find the character of our nation. we can choose to say the task ahead is too great, we can turn our faces apart and believe it can't be done or we can look forward with optimism and hope and to believe in the enduring power of the british spirit. i choose to believe in britain and that our best days lie ahead. and i do so because i'm confident we have the vision and the plan to use this moment to build a better britain. for leaving the european union presents us with a unique opportunity. it is this generation's chance to shape a brighter f

nor, indeed, does it mean that it will be any less european. the option of a second referendum must be on the table. her majesty the queen has asked me to form a new government, and i accepted. brexit means brexit, and we're going to make a success of it. au revoir! no prime minister, no government can expect to be una nswerable or unchallenged. parliament alone is sovereign. the ayes to the right, 498. the noes to the left, 114. this was a nationwide referendum of the british people, and the british people spoke. the ayes have it, the ayes have it. the british people have been led to think of a future that seems unrealistic. this is an historic moment from which there can be no turning back. britain is leaving the european union. we are going to make our own decisions and our own laws. i'm sad. i'm deeply sad. there is no reason to pretend that this is a happy day. we already miss you. thank you, and goodbye. i choose to believe in britain and that our best days lie ahead. hello, and welcome to our look ahead to what the the papers will be bri

will be taken by the european capitals, the other remaining 27 states. big countries, germany and france have elections in the next months and that means no significant brexit steps will probably be taken before the autumn, and the clock starts ticking tomorrow. indeed. thank you. to downing street. the clock will start ticking and i wonder what is your sense of the mindset within government now, as we approach this very, very big moment? i think very, very determined but also in all truth apprehensive, not surprisingly, really. ithink also in all truth apprehensive, not surprisingly, really. i think it's worth reflecting, given we've been inside this partnership for more than four decades, it is quite remarkable that even not that long ago in the big picture, miss street, even the idea of a referendum taking place was not taken that seriously, alone if the idea of the country would vote to leave. but theresa may, who started out a remainder now finds herself in this position and tomorrow she will promise fiercely, tomorrow she will promise fiercely, to

the european union, next on great decisions. (triumphant music) - [man] great decisions is produced by the foreign policy association in association with thomson reuters, funding for great decisions is provided by price water house coopers llp.

residents in the european union. these are the key issues we must tackle at the beginning of the negotiation. anna: so that is what you want to tackle at the beginning. can i ask you about the attitude toward financial services? well one of the objectives be to weaken the city of london? sandro: no. our objective is neither to banish nor to weaken, but it is clear that we have to start from the choice that the british prime minister has made. in her speech, she was very clear in wanting a hard brexit. hard brexit means being totally out of the single market and being totally out from the financial service passport. about the future relations between the city and the european union, it is all up to negotiation, but it is clear that we start from very far. this is not because of european choice. it is because of u.k. government choice. very legitimate one but something that make the distance even bigger. matt: is it possible to negotiate a new trade agreement with britain at the same time as you negotiate brexit or doe

pro—european sentiment has slightly gone up pro—european sentiment has slightly gone up across pro—european sentiment has slightly gone up across europe —— since britain announced. although there is the political and economic shock, to some parts of the eu this could be quite a good sort of gelling factor against further moves towards division. how will the rest of the eu cope, then, with a 38% drop in its income when we stop contributing, as many of those who wa nted contributing, as many of those who wanted to leave said that we would be spending all of this money which we could spend at home. and of course, usually come in new countries that come into the eu are net beneficiaries, aren't they? britain is a net contributor to the european union, and certainly the countries like germany, the biggest contributor to the european union's budget, that net contribution from britain was very, very important and i'm sure will be one of the big negotiating areas over the next two years. what does britain continue to pay into the european union for access to the single market, for access to the

of the united kingdom for us to have a strong european union, the strong remaining 27 in the european union, i think thatis 27 in the european union, i think that is important for us and for the united states as well. i will take one more question. yes? the danish prime ministersaid... one more question. yes? the danish prime minister said... thank you so much, blonde bird tv. the danish foreign minister said that —— blomberg. brexit could take up to 50 years, is he wrong? what makes you think that it will actually be possible to do it within two years, given that we know michel barnier for example is very a kingston negotiating a parallel trade deal at the same time as a brexit deal —— very against negotiating. what makes you think it will actually be possible to do it within two years, given that we know michel barnier for example is very against negotiating a parallel trade deal at the same time as a brexit deal? well, first of all, obviously the treaty sets out that in looking when some of these countries are leaving the european union, the process which is article 50 sets

they pointed out a number of guarantees that the european union wants. citizen rights would be secured. i've mentioned that. and no return to a hard border regarding northern ireland. and there is a brexit bill to be settled. christopher: what is britain's priority? what does britain want to achieve particularly in these negotiations? >> it wants, of course, exactly the opposite. what has now become good brexit tradition, have the cake and eat it. britain once a trade deal that is as good as the conditions it has now. that is the impression theresa may gave in her speech today. even though she did sound a warning. there might be consequences of exit -- brexit. she told people to expect that and deal with it. but what britain wants to push for his trade to continue unfettered. the way it is now. it will be the main bone of contention. that is where the talks will run up against the wall once they have reached that point. it will take quite a while because as we heard from german chancellor angela merkel today, first the divorce negotiations have to talk a

britain is leading the european union. 50 here britain is leading the european union. so here it is. the president of the eu says his priority is to defend the remaining member states. brexit has made as a community of 27 more determined and more united than before. we'll hear from brussels, spain and across the uk. and i'm michelle fleury in washington — our other headlines. what are the opportunities and dangers for markets across the world of two years of talks, then brexit? have seen under the common fisheries policy is the hardships and a client of the communities that i live work and dear europe, people from across britain say farewell to the eu. it has taken nine months but today britain took the decisive step towards leaving the european union, and a relationship that has bound this country to the continent for over a0 years. the british prime minister's letter — just six pages long — was transferred to the president of the european council by the uk's ambassador to the eu. that very simple process triggers article 50 — beginning two years of devilishly

it will give companies the maximum freedom to trade with european markets unless european businesses do the same in britain. your p leaders have said many times that we cannot cherry pick and remain members of the single market without upsetting the four freedoms of are indivisible. we respect that position. and excepting those freedoms is incompatible of the democratic express of the british people, we will no longer be members of the single market. were going to make sure that we can have trade agreements with countries outside the european union too. it is important as a trade as the with the e.u.'s comments we need to sit never can only increase with the fastest growing market in the world. we hope to continue to collaborate with our europeanllt partners in science, education,n research, and technology. so the u.k. is one of the best places for science innovation. we see continued cooperation with our partners in areas such as crime, terrorism, and foreign affairs. fut we want to deliver a smooth and orderly brexit reach an agreement about our futures partnership by the time the

listen to the president of the european commission, shall claw president of the european commission, shall clanunker, when pressed about that recently. —— jean—claude juncker. pressed about that recently. —— jean-claude juncker. there will be no sanctions, no punishment, nothing of that kind. britain has to now and i suppose the government does know it, they have two on the former commitments. to the june £50 billion? it is around that, but that is not the main story. we have to calculate scientifically what the british commitments were and then the bill has to be paid. the immigration publication would mean that there would be fewer immigrants coming in but ministers are much more cautious about that because they are worried about what in fact it may have on the national health service. listen to david davis suggesting that far from going down, immigration might at times go up. have a listen. ithink down, immigration might at times go up. have a listen. i think most people are in favour of migration, so people are in favour of migration, so long as it is managed and the p

european parliament went further delay. they say they will not accept a hard border on the island of ireland. they don't want anything that will threaten the peace process. in reality, brexit has already been divisive. at stormont, were the power—sharing government has collapsed, that collapse wasn't caused by the issue, but brexit has the potential to fuel political differences. irish republicans have been listening closely to the push for a referendum in scotland. they point out thatjust for a referendum in scotland. they point out that just as in scotland, the majority of people in northern ireland voted to stay inside the european union, and are calling for an independence referendum, a referendum really an irish unity. wales voted to leave the european union and there was a recognition of that this morning by the first minister, carwynjones, that this morning by the first minister, carwyn jones, when that this morning by the first minister, carwynjones, when he said he would be working with the uk government to get t

it is a european—level asset, it is not just a british it is a european—level asset, it is notjust a british asset. we need to say to people across europe, nurture the city of london, value the city of london, it is your prize, your asset, not just ours of london, it is your prize, your asset, notjust ours and it helps to drive the whole european economy and make people across europe more prosperous and successful. jeremy browne, thank you. let's continue to get reaction. let's get some reaction from around the country. lorna gordon our scotland correspondent is at holyrood while chris page is at the northern ireland border town of caledon in county tyrone. chris. yes, i'm standing at one of 260 crossings between northern ireland and the republic. actually, this bridge was not always here. it has been only been built within the last seven been only been built within the last seve n years been only been built within the last seven years because in the past there weren't so many crossings. the british army created craters in roads just to stop it because of security reasons. it is diff

this is the european close on "bloomberg markets." ♪ we're going to take you from new york to london in the next hour. plus, we are covering stories in hong kong, new orleans, and detroit. here other top stories we are following on the bloomberg and around the world. just hours to go until the u.k. traders article 50, formerly starting its divorce process from the european union. the pound is bouncing around. the ftse also trying to eat out again -- eek out a gain. julie: in the u.s., we will hear from ford executive joe hi nrichs. oil is trying to rebound today, but the continuing rise of shale producers may blunt opec cuts. ofwill speak with tim dove pioneer natural resources. at theaking a look equity movers. stocks are rising today. stocks and bonds and sovereignties, the markets have come down from yesterday's post -- health care even where we saw in move away from risk and into defensive assets. this is a great chart showing the inverse relationship between the sterling and the ftse 100 index. the pound has become a bit of a w

and today, the european commission. and today, the british government has today formally notified the european union that the uk is leaving after 44 yea rs of that the uk is leaving after 44 years of membership. article 50 of the lisbon treaty was triggered when the lisbon treaty was triggered when the british representative, the permanent representative here in brussels, sir tim barrow, permanent representative here in brussels, sirtim barrow, handed a letter which had been signed last night by theresa may in downing street, brought to brussels and then sirtim street, brought to brussels and then sir tim barrow handed it personally to donald tusk, president of the european council at 12:20pm this afternoon. when donald tusk acknowledged receipt of that letter, article 50 was formerly triggered nine months after the referendum in which the british people said it wa nted which the british people said it wanted to leave. theresa may‘s letter sets out her desire for the two years of negotiations on brexit. she said the u

mr macron is a strong pro—european, that his approach. mr schultz is a strong european as well. but in italy four out of five of the biggest parties are now against the euro. they haven't as yet had an election this year. they might, we don't know. the east europeans are a different ball game too. it is quite difficult to see the way forward, with all these differences of opinion. one thing that seems to bring europe together right now is discussing brexit. curiously enough a lot of these populist movements might not win elections but they are dragging the debate on their side. as they did in holland. so we will see more eurosceptic elements being front and centre in a lot of these campaigns. the complexion of europe will change, even if they don't win... is it that whatever path they take, and it will not be our decision because apparently we won't be there, but whatever path europe takes is it in our interest, given that it is still our biggest market by a long way is it in our interest that it should succeed? but of course there is a tremendous disaster on the horizon, which

for the european union a first step will be the adoption of guidelines for the negotiations by the european council. that will take some time. these guidelines will set out the overall positions and principles in light of which the union represented by the european commission, jean—claude juncker is the header that, will negotiate with the uk. in these negotiations the union will act as one and preserve its interests. our first priority will be to minimise the uncertainty caused by the decision of the uk for our citizens, businesses and member states. we will start by focusing on all key arrangements for an orderly withdrawal. that is pretty well it. let's get some reaction to that and the days events because we are jointly the former green party leader natalie bennett and peter whittle of ukip who's on college green. what is your reaction to this, peter, on this momentous day, and on the day that theresa may has triggered article 50? this is something we have been waiting for a long time. it is a historic day, we are very pleased. it has been a long time coming. david cameron when he was

the european union. after brexit, this will certainly be an uncertain status for the next two years, and britain, therefore, as a british citizen, they lose that right to travel through 27 other states. as a european citizen or a citizen of the eu, they may lose access to one state, being britain. this makes the whole process complicated. yet. it will affect the visa free travel between the european union and britain. they continued to negotiate their own short—term visa policy. it is really the settlement rights that has been the attraction of eu citizenship, uk citizenship, and particularly for asian families, who we are told are looking at that as attractiveness. it is that freedom that eu citizenship provides these individuals. speaking to rico hizon. let's take a look at some front pages from around the world. the new york times leads with a special report on the ongoing ferocious battle to retake mosul from the so—called islamic state. it features this picture of a man calling out to relatives

for leaving the european union presents us with a unique opportunity. it is this generation's chance to shape a brighter future for our country. a chance to step back and ask ourselves what kind of country we want to be. my answer is clear. i want the united kingdom to emerge from this period of change stronger, fairer, more united and more outward looking than ever before. i want us to be a secure, prosperous, tolerant country. a magnet for international talent and a home to the pioneers and innovators who will shape the world ahead. i want us to be a truly global britain. the best friend and neighbor to our european partners but a country that reaches beyond the borders of europe, too. >> can i just apologize for having to sbrinterrupt the -- that's your long-term goal. may be very long-term and should be your goal. and what i say to the house is this. you can study the record. i will want all colleagues to have the chance to question the prime minister. but this is a very important statement. and i think it is reasonable to expect that the prime mini

after britain leaves the european union, it will be legal for citizens of 46 other european countries to come here to the republic of ireland and get a job and claim benefits and use the services. but a few yards in that direction, there would be no automatic right to do any of that. that changes what northern ireland's biggest party, the democratic unionist party, campaigned for. why did the dup back brexit? there's a number of reasons. the european union is very good at creating regulations, it created 2,800 on agriculture alone. ultimately, we believe that power is better invested at the local level, so we want more power to the local authorities, to regional assemblies, and ultimately to westminster. not to be vested into europe whether there's little accountability. do you except that britain's decision to leave the eu poses huge problems for the border between northern ireland and ireland ? oh, it does, yes. do we have a hard or soft border? both britain and ireland have indicated they would prefer to have a free—flowing border. the truth is we had something like 16,000 troops

union and non-european union country. i'm sure the building up of that border will be great in northern ireland. i'm sure that won't be controversial at all. >> what britain did today in prying themselves off europe and splitting up the european union that is adding a whole new impetus, dynamic to the age-old bloody question whether northern ireland should stay part of the uk or six counties in the north should be part of the united front. troubles anyone? >> the two national institutions that was part of that so we wouldn't have another world war ii that followed world war i, the two multi-national institutions that were created and staved in fighting off world war iii thus far the two organizations that have done the work in stopping world war iii are nato and the european union. all things considered, forever you factor in military power and economic power and international influence, i think it's fair to say the uk is the strongest and most important cornerstone member of the european union. now, as of today they are

the germans and europeans are afraid, especially the steve bannon faction wants the european union to disintegrate and fail. thus their support for brexit and private comments that are critical of the eu. first american president since truman to be so negative about the project of building european unity. that's a problem. >> why do you think mr. bannon and perhaps the president want the eu to fail? because they think it's too robust a competitor or they don't like having to do multilateral trade agreements with the sort of untidiness of having to negotiate with different capitals as opposed to one on one? >> they're in the minority in the republican party. president trump and bannon. it stems from the fact that they tend to see the world through economic nationalist lenses. germany is a competitor because of the trade imbalance. there is that problem. but germany is also our strongest ally in the world. and the strongest country standing up to vladimir putin. and that ought to count for the united states. i just think they're looking at it the wrong way and sending terribly divisive

my constituey ted to remain in the european union. [shouting] the point is -- [shoin the point is, the point is that we are one unid kgdom, and it was a vote of the wholef the united kingdom. anwhat iea from people ouidof this chamber, and by thwathe right honorable gentleman seems toort somethin le 400,000 voted to leave the european union -- [sutg] what i hear, what are you from peop osi this chamber from individuals and businesses alike, whether they vote to remain or toea, is tt the bo hinbeen takenth decision hinbe gen to people of the unitedingdom, that we shouldowescthat vote and get on th the job for everybody across the whole of unedingdom. rerto the issue of scottish indepenncand it impact on membership to the european uni. its e se and the european union has reinforcedhe dori that if scotland were to -- [shouting] they seem fd amusi,, t just want everybody the ctrine is it scotland were to become independent fro t united kingdom andt d voted r independence in 2014 then they would've ceased to be a member of the euroan union

this is something the european union will want. matt: can i just ask where you stand on the payment debate? i feel frankly, if i'm checking out of the hotel and i tell you i'm going to, that doesn't mean i get to stay there for free the whole week. john: of course the u.k. does have long-running commitments to pensions and other programs. doesn't wantrnment to be paying a large upfront bill. on the other hand, the u.k. government has not said -- has kind of said, we are willing to continue to pay for those things we might still be involved in. if there is continuing collaboration on university research, which i suspect both sides might like, the u.k. government has signaled we might be willing to pay for that. the start of the negotiation is going to be about the reasonable size of that bill. the two sides are going to start a long way apart from each other. guy: is there any risk the u.k. walks out early? john: if the words of u.k. ministers are to be taken literally, the answer to that is yes. there clearly are some ministers, th

we want our closest a nd european parliament. we want our closest and nearest allies to be strong and for the uk to prosper. we know that in the future citizens will be rich and happier if we work together with our eu partners to meet common challenges. that message is vital in securing our nation's future. i think -- thank my honourable friend forgiving way. doesn't he agree that given the mixed record out of our foreign secretary, and with the commitment to save for the nhs, and does he think it is right that we should show commitment by landing up for eu migrants and supporting this amendment? i'm grateful for that intervention and i agree the tone the government sets is very important as the go up to the beginning of the negotiations. from my are discussions with representatives from brussels, i can tell the house about some of the jokes which have been made about the reasons why our eu partners fill so strongly about the eu have not been well received. passing this amendment tonight would help set the right tone. mr speaker,

after that, a few months will be taken up getting the approval of the european council, the european parliament and the uk parliament, allowing the uk to leave the eu in two years' time. which brings us to the key date. 29th of march 2019. but will that be enough time to sort out the uk's future trading relationship with the eu? well, many people fear that it won't, because the legal and political details are just too complicated. which is why the toughest negotiations of all could be about transition arrangements, between full eu membership now and a permanent new settlement in the future. there's plenty to do but it all starts right here. chris, thank you. let's cross now to sunderland, where our correspondent fiona trott has the latest. jane, ina jane, in a city where 7000 people work for nissan, which exports more than 50% of its cars to eu countries, you knew that something extraordinary was happening when people here still decided to vote leave. we caught up with some of them today. they have absolutely no regrets of course. why? sovereignty and border controls. those are the t

one of the reasons europeans have resented britain, the foundation of the european community back in the steel community in 1948, they suspected britain was a trojan horse. that churchill and roosevelt got onto well together. they were making excuses, they have these anglo-saxon economics, it was a different thing. the europeans practice a different economic season. they suspect therefore already -- all of british prime minister's being too cozy with the american presidents. with good evidence. tony blair was quick to jump into bed with george bush. a little bit of anti-americanism. >> that sense of, get out of here, we can do without you, we did not want you in our club, anyway. that is quite a strong sentiment. charlie: what happens if there is no agreement after two years? >> then they are gone and play by wto rules. it would be ugly because tariffs would go up, a lot of bankers and other companies would ship out and move to paris, frankfurt, new york. that may be where we end up. it is going to be one hell of a tough negotiation. >> you asked about security. there is another big

we need a prosperous and a resilient european union. we need effective policy capable to solving not freezing complex. thanks to historical decision of the nato summit on the deployment of four multinational battle groups to atlantic eastern flank, including canadian led enhanced forward presence battle group in latvia, we are more secured. and reassured. this is very practical expression of solidarity from our allies and strong deterrent signal to russia. security in our region is -- thanks to congress support for the use european reassurance initiative, the atlantic resolve mission and the fallen military financing program for which we are very grateful. taking into account the challenges to our region are of long-term nature. we're looking forward to continuation of european reassurance initiative and the funding level of the $3.4 billion higher likewise, we have the current military financing funding will be maintained or enhanced. continuing u.s. commitment to nato is essential to preserve irreversibility of these decisions. latvia

there was a time before the european double-dip when it was positive. in an environment where the ecb is saying we are making the type of progress we want, european data is looking better. the unemployment rate is back down to current was before the double-dip in 2012 and capacity utilization looking fairly healthy. you can see the euro rally alongside the european equity markets, simply because it is indicative of better data. vonnie: local market strategist for jpmorgan, what has run its course and what may not have run its course? >> a balanced approach given some of the uncertainty. vonnie: give us more. >> the one idea i am talking about more is emerging markets. people are comfortable in the u.s. we like the asian economies, manufacturers more than the one heavily exposed to commodities. there could be volatility in commodity going forward. vonnie: in spite of the potential for protectionist movement in the u.s.? .> absolutely when we think about the forward returns we can get from different asset classes. in the u.s., they look lower than in the

>> well, we all remember the european union until we're not a member of the european union. we will want to stay close to that. i imagine that when we leave the european union, that may be one of the types of cooperation that we will want to continue frankly. these wise and capability do not really respect international boundaries very well and as a result we need to recognize that as being a transnational threat that the uk is -- the national interests are served by getting involved. i certainly wouldn't want to see duplicated capability. on that basis i think that question the actually is more interestingly is nato as an organization moving as quickly as it should be into that kind of area. is it a sensible strategy to leave this to national governments. i think my instinct on that is probably not, but that's where i think i would put the focus of that. >> probably have time for one more question. i think you put them back. let me then just say that i hope as you leave this room today, you take two things away from what steven said in his prepared remar remarks. first, the

britain is leading the european union. we are going to make our own decisions and oui’ going to make our own decisions and our own laws. we are going to take control of the things that matter most to us. donald tusk said he missed the uk already and promised to defend the remaining 27 member states in the negotiations and had. —— ahead. there is no reason to pretend this is a happy day, neither in brussels, not london. a week on from the terror attack on parliament and a memorial was held in westminster bridge. stay with us on bbc news for a look at how the front pages are reporting the coverage of article 50. clever good evening and welcome to bbc news. the united kingdom has formally served notice that it is leading the european union. a letter, signed by theresa may, was handed to be president of the and council. the primus told mps she wa nted council. the primus told mps she wanted a smooth and orderly brexit. ina wanted a smooth and orderly brexit. in a potential setback theresa may, angela merkel has warned th

wales voted to leave the european union. there was a recognition of that this morning when carwynjones said he would be working with the uk government to get the best deal for wales. by this afternoon, the cracks had begun to appear and you sensed his frustration when he said he it was regrettable the welsh government had not been able to contribute to the article 50 letter and the devolved administrations had been treated with a lack of respect. he'd already voiced his concerns about economic subsidies. he wasn't sure what would be happening after 2020, he said. there were no guarantees. add the moment, some of the poorest parts of wales share £2 billion of grantaid. the parts of wales share £2 billion of grant aid. the leaders of the welsh conservatives said that is scaremongering and theresa may has said the specific interests of the nations will be taken into account. sian, chris and sarah, thank you. the clock started ticking from the moment the letter was delivered to brussels this morning and the parties will have t