Brexit fallout looms over historic Theresa May-Angela Merkel meeting

Germany and Britain agreed on Wednesday that Prime Minister Theresa May, who succeeded David Cameron a week ago, needed time to prepare for talks to leave the European Union, after London took the first step towards Brexit by giving up its presidency of the European Council.

IMAGE: British Prime Minister Theresa May is greeted by Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel during the former's first visit to Germany since taking office. Photograph: Hannibal Hanschke/Reuters

On her first foreign trip since taking office in the wake of Britain's seismic referendum, May told German Chancellor Angela Merkel that her government would not ask to leave the European Union before the end of 2016 in order to plan a "sensible and orderly departure".

"We will not invoke Article 50 until our objectives are clear, which is why I've said already this will not happen before the end of this year," May said in Berlin, referring to the formal EU mechanism to leave the bloc.

IMAGE: Theresa May and Angela Merkel review the guard of honour during a welcoming ceremony at the chancellery in Berlin. Photograph: Hannibal Hanschke/Reuters

Merkel, who is expected to play a pivotal role in the Brexit talks, said it was in the interests of all that Britain had a "well-defined position" before beginning the negotiations.

"No one wants things to be up in the air – neither Britain nor the member states of the EU," Merkel said.

"If we look at all matters and challenges facing us, it's most important to have Britain as a partner and we will do so and then negotiate on Britain leaving," she added.

Britain had earlier said it would no longer assume the six-month rotating presidency next July as planned, choosing instead to prioritise negotiations on implementing last month's shock vote to leave the EU.

IMAGE: PM May and Chancellor Merkel come in together to address a presser after their formal talks about the state of play following Britian's European Union exit. Photograph: Hannibal Hanschke/Reuters

Estonia's turn, which had been due to start in January 2018, is set to be brought forward by six months to take Britain's place, a spokesman for EU president Donald Tusk said after the announcement.

May has repeatedly asked for patience as her new government maps out its strategy for ending its 43-year-old membership of the EU despite some EU countries wanting Britain out of the bloc as soon as possible.

IMAGE: The two leaders had an extensive discussion on the future of Britain, in particular the freedom of EU citizens to live and work throughout the bloc. Photograph: Hannibal Hanschke/Reuters

A key sticking point in the Brexit negotiations is likely to be the freedom of EU citizens to live and work throughout the bloc.

Merkel has warned that Britain cannot have continued access to the single market while restricting the freedom of movement -- an emotive issue in the June 23 referendum.

May avoided giving details on her position in her first parliamentary question session in London earlier this week -- a time-honoured ritual seen as a test of British political leadership.

IMAGE: Merkel and May address a news conference whence they revealed that that Britain would not leave the EU until the end of 2016. Photograph: Hannibal Hanschke/Reuters

She also mocked the opposition Labour and Liberal Democrat parties and dodged criticism about past undiplomatic comments made by her choice for foreign minister -- top Brexit campaigner Boris Johnson.

May backed Britain's continued membership of the EU.

Several commentators heard echoes of Thatcher in her barbed comments; with the Independent daily commenting that she was "eerily reminiscent" of the late so-called Iron Lady.