EU says UK remains full member of organisation until talks conclude

A European Union flag is held in front of the Big Ben clock tower in Parliament Square during a 'March for Europe' demonstration against Britain's decision to leave the European Union, central London, Britain July 2, 2016. Britain voted to leave the European Union in the EU Brexit referendum.  [Photo/Agencies]

The European Union's foreign policy chief said on Monday that UK will remain a "full member" of the bloc until the negotiations over leaving EU are concluded, but so far the talks have not been requested.

"Until those negotiations come to an end - and they have not even started, nor have they been requested - the UK is a full member of the European Union," said High Representative and Vice-President Federica Mogherini upon arrival at the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on Monday.

"So our common work on common security and foreign policy continues and today we will welcome him (Boris Johnson) as a new member of the family."

Foreign ministers of the bloc are convening their monthly meeting against the background of a new UK government, terrorist attacks in Nice, France and a failed military coup in Turkey. Turkey started negotiations to become an EU member in 2005.

Mogherini held a delayed dinner meeting with the UK Secretary for Foreign Affairs Boris Johnson, leader of the Leave EU campaign, on Sunday.

"I met him yesterday as I tend to meet all the ministers that join the family. We had a good exchange on the main issues on the agenda today," said Mogherini.

"So as I said several times, there are no negotiations before the notification of the Article 50 is tabled."

Article 50 in the Lisbon Treaty is the system which initiates the process under which a member leaves the union. Some predicated that the complicated procedure may help keep UK as a member for at least two years or longer. British ministers have said it could be as long as five years.

In late June, European Union leaders gathered for the first time without the UK's presence after the outcome of the June 23 Brexit referendum was announced.

On the European Council's agenda, the 27 leaders of European Union, without that of UK, are scheduled to meet on 16th September, though Johnson is attending Monday's meeting.

Before the meeting, the ministers had a breakfast with US Secretary of State John Kerry. The EU foreign chief said it is a perfect occasion to exchange views on the most pressing issues, mainly events in Turkey, Syria and the Middle East.

On the Foreign Affairs Council agenda, the situation in Turkey and counter-terrorism measures will be debated.

Mogherini said that the union's relationship with China will also be discussed. "I am just back from Beijing where we had important discussions with the Chinese leadership," she said.

To contact the reporter: fujing@chinadaily.com.cn