Britain could enjoy a "special" relationship with the EU owing to its unique "size and significance", a German minister has said.

Once Britain has ended its 43-year-long membership with the bloc, it would not get a deal similar to that of other ex-EU members such as Switzerland and Norway, according to Michael Roth, Germany's European Affairs Minister.

Instead, Britain's long relationship with the EU means it could have a "special status" and be dealt with differently to other countries outside the union.

But London needed to trigger Article 50 early next year to initiate the exit, said Mr Roth. He added that the free movement of people would also not be readily curtailed.

"Given Britain's size, significance and its long membership of the European Union, there will probably be a special status which only bears limited comaprison to that of countries that have never belonged to the European Union," he told Reuters.

"I want relations between the European Union and Britain to be as close as possible".

Mr Roth has said London must initiate talks about leaving the EU early next year (Reuters ) (Reuters)

Mr Roth, who is a junior partner in Angela Merkel's coalition and a member of the Social Democrats, said British MEPs could no longer sit around the table in the European Parliament when the UK had voted by a slim majority to leave.

The process of removal should start in early 2017, he said.

"We can't quibble about it. Even if we didn't want or hope for it, Brexit won and, as it won, there can't be any British members in the next European Parliament," said Mr Roth.

What's the European Parliament ever done for us? Show all 5 1 /5 What's the European Parliament ever done for us? What's the European Parliament ever done for us? A cap on the amount of hours an employer can make you work The Working Time directive provides legal standards to ensure the health and safety of employees in Europe. Among the many rules are a working week of a maximum 48 hours, including overtime, a daily rest period of 11 hours in every 24, a break if a person works for six hours or more, and one day off in every seven. It also includes provisions for paid annual leave of at least four weeks every year Getty Images What's the European Parliament ever done for us? Helping the people of Britain to avoid smoking In 2014 MEPs passed the Tobacco Products Directive strengthening existing rules on the manufacture, production and presentation of tobacco products. This includes things like reduced branding, restrictions on products containing flavoured tobacco, health warnings on cigarette packets and provisions for e-cigarettes to ensure they are safe What's the European Parliament ever done for us? Helping you to make the right choices with your food Thanks to the European Parliament, UK consumers have access to more information than ever about their food and drink. This includes amount of fat, and how much of it is saturated, carbohydrates, sugars, protein and so on. It also includes portion sizes and guideline daily amount information so people can make informed choices about their diet. All facts must be clear and easy to understand What's the European Parliament ever done for us? Two year guarantees and 14-day returns policy for all products Consumers across the EU have access to a number of rights, from things which are potentially very useful, to things which used to be annoying. For example, shoppers in the UK receive a two-year guarantee on all products, and a 14-day period to change their minds and return a purchase, these things are useful www.PeopleImages.com-licence restrictions apply What's the European Parliament ever done for us? Keeping your air nice and fresh (and safe) Believe it or not, although the situation is improving, some areas of the UK have appalling air quality. A report by the Royal College of Physicians released on 23 February says 40,000 deaths are caused by outdoor air pollution in the UK every year. Air pollution is linked to a number of illnesses and conditions, from Asthma to diabetes and dementia. The report estimates the costs to British business and the health service add up to £20 billion every year

Theresa May has said her government will not trigger Article 50, which begins the process of exiting the bloc, before the end of the year. Recent reports have suggested she may push this date to later in 2017 because her new Brexit and international trade departments will not be ready.

The terms of Britain's relationship once it has fully left must take no longer than two years to negotiate, according to the EU's laws on the subject.

Britain would then be absent from the European Parliament in time for the next EU elections in 2019.

Asked whether Britain could enjoy free trade with the world's largest trading bloc while refusing to allow free movement of its citizens, Mr Roth said that was highly unlikely.

"I can't imagine that," he responded.

"The free movement of workers is a highly prized right in the European Union and we don't want to wobble on that."