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As it happenedended1516302999

Macron-May talks - as it happened: ‘If you want access to single market, be my guest’

UK-France Summit to take place at military academy, with Brexit high on the agenda

Ashley Cowburn,Benjamin Kentish
Thursday 18 January 2018 09:34 GMT
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Emmanuel Macron and Theresa May arrive at Sandringham

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Head shot of Eric Garcia

Eric Garcia

Washington Bureau Chief

Emmanuel Macron has finished a joint a news conference with Theresa May telling his counterpart if Britain wants access to the single market then “be my guest”.

Asked why he wanted to exclude financial services from a future UK-EU free trade agreement, Mr Macron said: “I am here neither to punish nor to reward.

“I want to make sure that the single market is preserved because that is very much the heart of the EU.

“The choice is on the British side, not on my side. But there can be no differentiated access for the financial services.

“If you want access to the single market - including the financial services - be my guest. But it means that you need to contribute to the budget and acknowledge European jurisdiction.

“Such are the rules, and we know the system already in place for Norway.”

The French President and a number of his ministers were attending the UK-France Summit at the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst.

The two leaders also confirmed the Bayeux Tapestry would come to Britain on loan after 950 years in France.

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Macron is now asked about financial services not being involved in the Brexit negotiations. 

Macron says he will make it clear he is not aiming to punish Britain - the choice is on the British side. If you want access to the single market, be my guest, he says.

Britain can have no “differentiated access” to single market for financial services.​

May says we recognise as we leave the EU we will no longer be members of the single market - there will be different relationship.

"I believe it is in the interest of both the UK and EU to continue to have a good economic partnership with the UK....we will obviously be entering the negotiations... we will be looking for a deep and special partnership for the future. 

"We are leaving the European Union but we are not leaving Europe," May adds.

Ashley Cowburn18 January 2018 18:54
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The press conference is now over - this liveblog will be closing shortly but you can see all the updates from today's bilateral meeting between the UK and France below.

Ashley Cowburn18 January 2018 19:14

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