BOLD. New. Positive. The Prime Minister used these words to describe Britain’s future outside the EU in her important speech on ­Friday.

And it’s the same upbeat approach we’ve taken throughout our negotiations with the EU, and one I’ve articulated to leaders right across Europe.

6 The EU ought to bear in mind that Britain is not like the other countries it's done trade deals with, David Davis writes for The Sun on Sunday

Because now is not the time to “do down” Britain.

We’re making good on that referendum result — the biggest democratic exercise this country has ever seen — and are fighting to get the best deal for the UK.

I’ve travelled the length and breadth of Europe in recent months to explain ­Britain’s ambitious and pragmatic vision of the future partnership we want with the EU to government ministers and business leaders.

That vision recognises that we want close ties with Europe as our neighbours, trading partners and allies, but also sees the UK regain control of its borders and be able to strike its own trade ­agreements with growing economies around the globe.

6 Britain is in an exceptional position and the deal the EU offers us must reflect our special links, believes David Davis - seen here arriving at Mansion House in London ahead of the PM's speech on 2 March Credit: AFP or licensors

Theresa May insists Brexit talks are 'making real progress' as she lays out her vision for life outside the EU

Of course a few folk in Brussels will choose to pour scorn on our proposals — that’s what you expect in a negotiation.

But throughout my travels to European capitals one message has kept coming through, loud and clear.

6 A few folk in Brussels will pour scorn on our proposals, says the Brexit Sec - pictured EU's Chief negotiator Michel Barnier in Copenhagen on Friday 2 March Credit: AP:Associated Press

The need for a deal that reflects the deep links and relationship that already exist between the United Kingdom, the EU, and each of its remaining members.

We’re not like any other country that the EU has done a trade deal with.

Three million EU citizens live in the UK. Thousands of European businesses have set up shop here.

And we have worked extremely closely with European countries to share vital intelligence that keeps our people safe. Brexit doesn’t mean the end of this story of co-operation, it just means turning the page and starting a new chapter.

I welcome PM @theresa_may speech. Clarity about #UK leaving Single Market and Customs Union & recognition of trade-offs will inform #EUCO guidelines re: future FTA. — Michel Barnier (@MichelBarnier) March 2, 2018

So now we need to translate our shared history into a shared future.

As we’ve been members of the club for 40 years, we understand and already adhere to the EU’s rules — meaning that on the day we leave, the rules and standards we ask our businesses to meet are the same as the EU’s.

This is a rock-solid foundation for our future understanding about how companies will do business together once we have left the European single market and the customs union.

6 Now is NOT the time in our EU crunch talks to 'do down' Britain like Jeremy Corbyn's customs union plan, says Davis Credit: EPA

But make no mistake, we MUST leave these structures. To keep us inside a customs union, as Jeremy Corbyn, Tony Blair and some people in Brussels would like to see happen, would mean the wholesale imposition of rules.

This would mean less control, not more.

It shows they do not understand why people voted to leave, and do not care about doing the best for our country.

6 Arch-Remainer Tony Blair is pushing for a second EU referendum which he hopes Parliament will force after it rejects Theresa May's deal Credit: AP:Associated Press

French President Emmanuel Macron suggests that it’s possible for the UK to get ‘special’ trade deal with the EU following Brexit

Because we can and will negotiate a good deal.

Rather than having to bring two different systems closer together, the task will be to manage the relationship once we are two separate legal systems, and when there are instances in which we choose to do things differently. The agreement we reach with the EU after we leave should recognise these facts.

You’ll have read here in The Sun on Sunday’s pages that there are accusations that the UK is trying to “cherry pick” or “have its cake and eat it” when it comes to which parts of the EU market we can access.

6 We can and will negotiate a good deal - 3 million EU citizens live here, EU businesses have set up shop in the UK, our intelligence is vital to Europe, and we already know how to do business with other European countries Credit: PA:Press Association/PA Images

In reality, every free trade agreement has different provisions, depending on the interests of the countries who sign it.

And I’m not going to apologise for being ambitious in what I want for Britain.

We want the broadest and deepest possible agreement — covering more sectors and co-operating more fully than any free trade agreement in the world today.

Theresa May says Britain can get the Brexit deal it wants and a possible free trade deal with China

The EU can be ambitious too, when it wants to be.

It entered into negotiations with the United States with the goal of establishing much closer links in financial services. So there is precedent on this issue, despite claims otherwise.

Tomorrow, I’ll be heading back to the Continent to meet more European leaders, to continue banging the drum for Britain — and my team will be in Brussels negotiating the detail of the implementation period after we leave.

This period won’t go on for ever — it’s an important bridge to give businesses and public services right across Europe time to prepare for the changes in the relationship between the UK and the EU.

For this to be effective, though, we need to get this agreed with the EU as soon as possible.

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But given we agree a lot on the need for such a period, I think the implementation period will be agreed this month.

So I’m as confident as ever that we are on the right path to deliver that bold, new, positive vision for Brexit that the Prime Minister set out on Friday.

One that works for the UK, for Europe, and readers like you.