BRITAIN IS SET to give up its upcoming presidency of the European Union on foot of the Brexit vote.

Instead, it will focus its attention on the process of exiting the union.

A spokesperson for Downing Street today confirmed that prime minister Theresa May had spoken over the phone with President of the European Council Donald Tusk.

“The prime minister thanked President Tusk for the clear message he has given that the UK remains a full member of the EU until such a time as we leave,” they said.

And the prime minister underlined that she wants to approach the negotiations on the UK’s exit from the European Union in a constructive and pragmatic spirit.

In this context, the UK would not be taking up the presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2017, the spokesperson went on.

It now looks like Belgium may step in to take up the role.

The country has advocated for article 50 – the clause in the Lisbon Treaty that will initiate Britain’s exit of the EU – to be triggered quickly.

The EU’s taskforce on Brexit is being headed by Belgian diplomat Didier Seeuws.  

The Council of the European Union is made up of government ministers from across the EU and is the institution’s main decision making body.

Ireland last held the presidency in the first half of 2013 and is not due to hold it again until after 2020.

This comes on a busy day for the newly appointed prime minister.

Earlier, she faced her first prime minister’s questions in the House of Commons, and this afternoon is meeting with German chancellor Angela Merkel.

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