May warns of 'difficult times ahead' as Britain leaves EU
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British Prime Minister Theresa May chairs a meeting of the cabinet to discuss department-by-department Brexit action plans, August 31, 2016. (AFP photo)
Prime Minister Theresa May warns that there will be “difficult times ahead” for the UK economy as Britain moves to leave the European Union.
"We have seen figures giving some different messages in relation to the economy at the moment. I think the reaction of the economy has been better than some had predicted, post the referendum,” May told reporters Saturday as she traveled to the G20 summit in China.
"But I won't pretend it is all going to be plain sailing, there will be some difficult times ahead," the premier added.
According to Press TV, May said formal EU talks on Brexit will not begin until 2017, but promised the process would not be “kicked into the long grass.”
The premier said she was “optimistic” that there would be new opportunities for Britain outside the EU and promised the country would "make a success" of Brexit.
On June 23, some 52 percent (17.4 millions) of British people voted in a referendum to leave the EU after 43 years of membership, while roughly 48 percent (16.14 millions) of people voted to stay in the union.
In China, May held talks with US President Barack Obama on Sunday and is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India.
However, her toughest meeting is likely to be with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the conclusion of the summit on Monday.
This year’s G20 summit has been overshadowed by May’s decision to delay the £18 billion nuclear plant at Hinkley Point, which China is investing in.
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