British Prime Minister Theresa May leaves 10 Downing Street after the cabinet meeting in London, Britain on March 29, 2017. British Prime Minister Theresa May and her most senior ministers gathered in the Cabinet room at 10 Downing Street Wednesday at the start of one of the most historic days in generations for Britain. (Xinhua/Han Yan)
LONDON, March 29 (Xinhua) -- The Britain on Wednesday officially started the historic process to leave the European Union (EU) as the letter signed by Prime Minister Theresa May is sent to leaders of the 28-member bloc.
"There is no turning back," May told the House of Commons.
Giving official notice under Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, the letter was delivered to European Council President Donald Tusk in the noon.
The move came nearly nine months after the British voted for Brexit by a margin of 51.9 percent to 48.1 percent in a referendum.
By triggering Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, the Britain and EU is expected to have a two-year process in which the terms of exit will be negotiated. Unless both sides agree to extend the deadline for talks, the UK will leave on March 2019.
