More Brexit talks depend on UK’s proposal

By Ayhan Simsek

BERLIN (AA) - Opening further talks on Brexit would depend on whether or not the British government would submit “a substantially new proposal”, the German government said on Monday.

“We stand ready to talk should there be a substantial new proposal,” Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said on the official Twitter account of his ministry, after British Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit speech at the House of Commons.

“EU27 will decide together. The negotiated withdrawal agreement remains our basis,” Maas added.

Germany’s top diplomat called on British lawmakers to clarify their position without further delay.

“We need more clarity on what the House of Commons wants. This is obviously a difficult debate. But time is running out,” he said.

The deadlock over Brexit continued on Monday as May failed to offer any concrete changes to her deal -- which was rejected by an overwhelming majority of MPs last week.

May said she has been listening to parliamentary groups and opposition party leaders and she would discuss new options with EU officials to break the deadlock on Brexit.

She, however, ruled out the extension of article 50, membership of customs union or a people’s vote.