More Brexit talks depend on UK’s proposal

By Ayhan Simsek </p> <p>BERLIN (AA) – Opening further talks on Brexit would depend on whether or not the British government would submit “a substantially new proposal”, the German government said on Monday. </p> <p>“We stand ready to talk should there be a substantial new proposal,” Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said on the official Twitter account of his ministry, after British Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit speech at the House of Commons. </p> <p>“EU27 will decide together. The negotiated withdrawal agreement remains our basis,” Maas added. </p> <p>Germany’s top diplomat called on British lawmakers to clarify their position without further delay. </p> <p>“We need more clarity on what the House of Commons wants. This is obviously a difficult debate. But time is running out,” he said. </p> <p>The deadlock over Brexit continued on Monday as May failed to offer any concrete changes to her deal — which was rejected by an overwhelming majority of MPs last week.</p> <p>May said she has been listening to parliamentary groups and opposition party leaders and she would discuss new options with EU officials to break the deadlock on Brexit.</p> <p>She, however, ruled out the extension of article 50, membership of customs union or a people’s vote.