Britain needs a 'good compromise' from the EU in Brexit negotiations as so many countries rely on the UK for security and their own economies, the Polish Prime Minister has warned.
Describing Brexit as the UK 'leaving the EU, but not leaving Europe', Beata Szydlo said Poland would conduct negotiations in a 'down-to-earth' manner, and called on other EU nations to do the same.
Ahead of an historic meeting with Theresa May today, Mrs Szydlo added that her nation was saddened by the result of the referendum and called on any negotiations to consider how the economic and security interests of Britain and many EU members are 'intertwined'.
Writing in the Daily Telegraph, she said: 'We hope, as I believe the rest of the EU hopes, that Britain's new relationship with the EU will be as close as possible, and based on the principles of proportionality and balance of rights and obligations.
Beata Szydlo said Poland would conduct negotiations in a 'down-to-earth' manner, and called on other EU nations to do the same
'Whether we manage to complete this arduous task of bringing negotiations to a satisfying result will depend solely on our imagination and leadership.
'We need a good compromise which gives both our countries the best possible options for economic and security co-operation.
'Poland will be a constructive partner in this process, as we have been in the past – but the initiative for determining British ambitions and expectations as to the future level of co-operation with the EU has to come from London.'
