Britain's new Prime Minister Theresa May has met with Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel(L) and British Prime Minister Theresa May attend a welcoming ceremony prior to their meeting at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, on July 20, 2016. Britain will maintain close economic relations with Germany despite its intention to exit the European Union (EU), Britain's new Prime Minister Theresa May said Wednesday during her visit to Germany. (Xinhua/Guo Yang)

During her first meeting with an EU leader on Wednesday, May expressed her willingness to maintain close economic relationship with Germany. She also said the UK would not start the Brexit talks with the European Union this year. She added the UK needs to clarify all of its objectives before proceeding with the Brexit.

Merkel meanwhile said the UK must present its Brexit plan before Article 50 of the Treaty on the European Union is invoked. Meanwhile, May's office also said on the same day that the UK would relinquish its planned EU presidency next year.

"From the beginning, I said once the referendum was over that it was up to the British government to define how it wishes to see its future relationship with the European Union, and to then carry out the follow-up steps leading to the implementation of Article 50. Only then can exit negotiations begin,"  Merkels aid.

"All of us will need time to prepare for these negotiations, and the United Kingdom will not evoke Article 50 until our objectives are clear, and that's why I have said already this will not happen before the end of this year," May said.