Germany, France, Italy urge Britain not to waste time in divorcing EU

German Chancellor Angela Merkel (C), French President Francois Hollande (L) and Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi attend a news conference at the chancellery during discussions on the outcome of the Brexit in Berlin, Germany, June 27, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

BERLIN - The leaders of Germany, France and Italy urged Britain on Monday not to waste time in starting a divorce procedure with the European Union (EU), warning against uncertainty in a long impasse.

Despite a referendum result of Brexit last week, Britain's divorce procedure with the EU will only start when the country formally notify its intention to leave, activating the Article 50 of Lisbon Treaty.

British Prime Minister David Cameron has said that he will leave the task to his successor when he steps down in October.

British Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne said on Monday that Britain would trigger the exit procedure only when there is a clear view about new relations between Britain and the EU.

However, German, French and Italian leaders hold the opposite idea.

"We agreed that there will be no informal or formal discussions on the exit of Britain until the European Council has received an application for withdraw," said German Chancellor Angela Merkel after talks with French President Francois Hollande and Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi in Berlin.

"As long as that has not happened, no further steps can be taken," she said.