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Leader's view
LEADER'S VIEW
We will continue
to work together on
a range of things
Theresa May
Prime Minister, United Kingdom
Speaking at a press conference in Rome, Theresa May addressed
the G20's role in maintaining international relations after Brexit
As we make a success of Brexit,
it is crucial that we work with
important member states such as
Italy to strive for a solution which
respects the decision of British
voters, recognising that while the United
Kingdom is leaving the European Union, it is
still very much part of Europe.
This means we will continue to work together
on a range of things. We have agreed on the
importance of maintaining the closest possible
economic ties once the UK leaves the EU.
Italy is the UK’s eighth largest export market
and trade in goods alone was worth £24 billion
last year. We want that trade to continue, but of
course it will take time to work out the nature of
our relationship. We should take time to prepare
for these negotiations, so that both sides can
identify their objectives.
As long as we remain in the EU, we will
respect the rights and obligations of EU
membership. The UK will continue to be a strong
voice for international free trade.
The recent attack in Northern France on an
innocent Catholic priest in a place of sanctuary
and peace was another brutal reminder of the
threat that we all face. Following on from the
atrocities in Nice and Germany, it reinforces
the need for action both in Europe and on the
wider global stage.
In Europe, we must increase further our
intelligence cooperation and share vital
information swiftly and effectively, enabling us to
better protect ourselves from these terrorists who
seek to destabilise us.
In Iraq and Syria, the UK and Italy are already
leading players in the coalition to counter Daesh.
I think we agree on the importance of
reinvigorating the political process in Syria,
securing a genuine ceasefire and unlocking
humanitarian access.
We have also discussed the situation in Libya
where both Italy and the UK are at the forefront
of international efforts to support the new
government. It is in all our interests to help
Prime Minister Serraj to restore stability and
rebuild the economy.
That is the best way to prevent Libya
becoming a base for Daesh and to tackle the
criminal gangs that continue to exploit illegal
migrants and traffic innocent men, women and
children for profit.
Ninety per cent of migrants crossing the
Central Mediterranean set off from Libya, so
both our countries have urged our European
partners to do more to stem the flow of illegal
migration from there. Together we secured
agreement to extend the EU’s naval operation
to include capacity building of the Libyan
coastguard and we hope that training will get
underway in September. We also agree on the
need to do more upstream in the countries where
migrants are coming from, particularly in the
Horn of Africa and West Africa.
The UK is leaving the EU but we
will continue to strengthen ties with
our European friends. Outside
of the EU, the UK and Italy will
continue to cooperate through
NATO, the G20 and the G7. G20
1 st
Summit
2016
Elected
G7G20.com September 2016 • G20 China: The Hangzhou Summit 51