May gets Merkel's backing in not triggering Brexit this year

British Prime Minister Theresa May has said that the United Kingdom will not begin official negotiations on leaving the European Union this year and her decision has been backed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

During their first meeting in Berlin, Merkel offered her support to the new prime minister, saying it was right and necessary for Britain to "take a moment" to work out what it wants.

Merkel also did not rule out a deal for the United Kingdom that combines free trade with controls on immigration.

She said that Germany would be listening to what Britain wants before coming to a decision on its position.

"We are listening to the UK, we are listening to Britain what it actually wants and then we will give the right response," the Guardian quoted her as saying.

Merkel and May held an hour of talks in the German chancellery and after that the German chancellor said it was "absolutely understandable" that British Prime Minister's new government will have to "take a moment first and try to seek to identify its interests".

"It is after all to our advantage to have the UK define its negotiating stance in great detail and clarity and if possible also to clearly outline how it sees its future relationship with Europe," she said.