Britain will respect its responsibilities under European Union treaties although it will strive to strengthen trade ties with world partners, the British finance minister said on Friday.
“Of course we want to strengthen our trade ties with the very many trade partners we have around the world, but we are very mindful of our obligations under the treaty and will follow them precisely,” Philip Hammond told reporters arriving to a meeting of EU finance ministers in Brussels, as per Indian Express reports.
He said that Britain “remains a fully engaged member of the European Union.”
“We will continue to abide by the rules, regulations and the laws of the European Union for so long as we are members,” Hammond added.
British Prime Minister Theresa May will meet later on Friday with U.S. President Donald Trump in order to enhance the UK’s trade relations with Washington as it prepares to finally break away from the EU.
