France’s Hollande says no trade deal with UK before Brexit

French President Francois Hollande said Thursday that Britain must agree on the conditions of its exit from the EU before the bloc’s members discuss other issues such as a trade deal. “First we must begin discussions on the modalities of the withdrawal, especially on the rights of citizens and the obligations arising from the commitments that the UK has made,” Hollande said. “On the basis of what progress is made, we could open discussions on the framework of the future relations between the UK and the EU,” he added. Hollande’s approach echoes that of German Chancellor Angela Merkel who Wednesday snubbed Prime Minister Theresa May’s call for negotiations on the UK’s exit from the EU to run alongside talks on defining the conditions of their future relationship. (AFP