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Angela Merkel dealt an instant blow to Theresa May's Brexit plan today as she appeared to reject one of the Prime Minister's key demands.

In her six-page letter triggering Article 50 , Mrs May called for talks on a new UK-EU relationship "alongside" those on the terms of withdrawal.

But Germany's leader - an influential figure in the EU - said the two stages must be treated separately, respected European news agency AFP reported.

It quoted the German Chancellor as saying: "The negotiations must first clarify how we will disentangle our interlinked relationship.

"And only when this question is dealt with, can we, hopefully soon after, begin talking about our future relationship."

This appeared to contradict the text of Mrs May's letter to European Council president Donald Tusk , where she mentioned parallel talks four times.

(Image: REUTERS)

The Prime Minister's letter said: "We want the United Kingdom, through a new deep and special partnership with a strong European Union, to play its full part in achieving these goals.

"We therefore believe it is necessary to agree the terms of our future partnership alongside those of our withdrawal from the European Union."

Ms Merkel's statement appeared to leave room for both types of talks to take place within the two-year negotiation period, but made clear withdrawal should be first on the agenda.

She was backed up by the French foreign minister Jean-Marc Ayrault.

He told reporters: "After the negotiation of the separation, there will be another negotiation and that will be the organisation of the future relations between the 27 in the European Union and Great Britain."

(Image: Reuters)

Despite the apparent split on one issue, Ms Merkel was broadly supportive - agreeing with the British PM that disruption for citizens should be avoided.

Germany's leader told members of her conservative party that the prospect of Brexit made many worried about their future, Reuters reported.

"This is the case especially for the many Germans and European citizens in Britain," she said.

"Therefore, the German government will work intensively to make sure the effect on the everyday lives of those people is as small as possible."

She also said she hoped Britain and the EU would remain close partners, and the other 27 EU nations would take a fair approach to negotiations, Reuters reported.

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Brexit today reached the point of no return as Theresa May triggered Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty.

The Prime Minister warned there is "no turning back" in a historic six-page letter to Brussels - which warned co-operation on fighting terror could fall apart in a "blatant threat".

The signed original was handed over before lunch by Britain’s ambassador to Brussels Sir Tim Barrow to European Council president Donald Tusk.

In a poignant statement, Mr Tusk told Britain: "We already miss you. Thank you and goodbye”.

Britain will now leave the European Union when Big Ben chimes midnight on the evening of March 29, 2019.

rexiteers celebrated the moment, and former UKIP leader Nigel Farage was pictured in Union flag socks raising a pint outside a Westminster pub.

“I’m over the moon,” he said. “After 25 years of campaigning, the impossible dream came true.”

(Image: Getty)

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, a Vote Leave backer, said it was a “historic and exciting day”. But Mr Tusk struck a pessimistic tone, saying: “We already miss you. Thank you and goodbye.”

He added it was not “a happy day”, stating that there was nothing for either side to gain from the two years of negotiations to come.

He said: “Most Europeans, including almost half the British voters, wish that we would stay together. In essence, this is about damage control.”

Mrs May refused to ­separate security and trade issues.

“I would like to be able to maintain the degree of co-operation on these matters that we have currently,” she told Andrew Neil. “But it will be part of that package of negotiations.”

And she hinted free movement from Europe and the powers of the EU court may extend for some years beyond 2019 as Brexit is phased in.

“We want to have the agreements done in two years. There may then be a period of implementing those arrangements,” she said.

Her comments mean a transitional deal with Europe that extends Britain’s ties into the 2020s now looks likely.

The Government will today press on with its Brexit plan to transpose ­thousands of EU laws into British law.