Britain's Permanent Representative to the European Union Tim Barrow Monday morning informed the office of European Council President Donald Tusk of
Britain's intention to invoke Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty on March 29, 2017.
May is expected to make a full statement to MPs in the House of Commons immediately after the triggering of the Article 50 on next Wednesday.
The launch of the Article 50 means the starting of a two-year Brexit talks between London and Brussels on a deal to determine Britain's future relationship
with the remaining 27 member states of the EU.
That also means the final departure will be no later than March 2019.
The announcement Monday meets British Prime Minister Theresa May's longstanding commitment to trigger Article 50 by the end of March 2017.
Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union David Davis said ""Last June, the people of the UK made the historic decision to leave the EU. Next
Wednesday, the Government will deliver on that decision and formally start the
process by triggering Article 50.""
The Brexit secretary said Britain will then be engaged in the most important negotiation ""for a generation.""
The British announcement comes as EU leaders are preparing for a gathering in Rome later this week to mark the 60th anniversary of the Treaties of Rome, which
established the European Economic Community (EEC), forerunner to the current EU.
May has already announced she will not be attending the event.
May embarked Monday on a tour of Britain as part of ongoing engagements with devolved regions ahead of triggering the Article 50.
May's tour started in Wales, and will be followed by visits to Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Downing Street said in London the tour was part of a series of visits around Britain to enable the prime minister to engage and listen to people from across
the nation as it prepares to leave the EU.
Ahead of her departure Monday morning, May said ""From my first day on the steps of Downing Street, I made clear my determination to strengthen and sustain
the precious union. I have also been clear that as we leave the European Union I
will work to deliver a deal that works for the whole of the UK. I want every
part of the United Kingdom to be able to make the most of the opportunities
ahead.""
May's tour will also take her to Scotland where the Scottish Parliament will be voting Wednesday after a two-day debate whether to back a new independence
referendum to form a breakaway country outside of the United Kingdom.
Scotland's first minister Nicola Sturgeon wants a referendum before a final Brexit deal is sealed with Brussels. May has said now is not the time for
Scotland to vote on independence, preferring to wait until after Brexit.
Media in Scotland Monday are focusing on what currency Scotland will adopt if it becomes independent, with choice ranging from the pound sterling to a new
currency, though Scotland's former first minister, the SNP's Alex Salmond, has
ruled out euro as a currency in Scotland.
The Evening Standard in London reported Monday that a latest opinion poll shows support for Scottish independence is lower today than it was in 2014 when
the first independence poll was held.
The poll puts backing for Scottish independence at 44 percent, one point lower than when the question was put to Scotland two-and-a-half years ago, while
a majority (56 percent) would vote to remain in the UK.
Scottish voters backed remaining in the EU by 62 percent to 38 percent in the Brexit vote last June, compared to the final result for the whole of Britain of
52 percent to 48 percent.
" "
EU President Donald Tusk said the bloc already misses Britain but would act as one to defend its interests after London triggered the two-year exit process
on Wednesday.
""What can I add to this? We already miss you. Thank you and goodbye,"" Tusk said in Brussels after receiving a letter from British Prime Minister Theresa
May requesting the EU divorce.
""There is no reason to pretend this is a happy day,"" he said in a short statement to reporters, adding: ""In essence this is about damage control.
In a historic moment at around 1:26 pm, Tusk accepted the letter from Tim Barrow, the British ambassador to the EU, as they shook hands against a backdrop
of EU and Union Jack flags.
French President Francois Hollande warned that Brexit ""will be painful for the British.""
The former Polish premier added that the EU would stay together during the talks on Britain's exit.
""Paradoxically there is also something positive in Brexit. Brexit has made us, the community of 27 more determined and more united than before,"" he added.
""Today I can say that we will remain determined and united, also in the future, during the difficult negotiations ahead,"" he added.
The remaining EU 27 members issued a statement through Tusk saying they would prioritize an ""orderly"" divorce - in contrast to May saying in her letter that
she wanted to discuss new ties and the split in parallel.
""In these negotiations the Union will act as one and preserve its interests,"" they said in the statement.
""Our first priority will be to minimize the uncertainty caused by the decision of the United Kingdom for our citizens, businesses and Member States,""
they added.
""Therefore, we will start by focusing on all key arrangements for an orderly wit
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