Germany: Orderly Brexit preferable, but Berlin prepares for no deal as well - spokesperson

W/S Spokespersons at Federal Press Conference (BPK), Berlin
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W/S Journalists
SOT, Steffen Seibert, German government spokesperson (German): "It has to be remembered that the G7 partners made a decision together in 2014 to convene in the G7 format instead of G8. The reasons behind it are: Russia's annexation of Crimea which violated international law, the destabilisation of eastern Ukraine by separatists who are supported by Russia politically and militarily. You know what the situation is like today. Both situations are ongoing, hence the decision of the G7 partners. When there are prospects of the elimination of these reasons, we can talk about the resumption of the [G8] summit format. We acknowledge that the US president wants to talk about this topic in Biarritz, and then this conversation will be held."
W/S Journalists
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M/S Officials
M/S Journalists
SOT, Steffen Seibert, German government spokesperson (German): "For us, the questions lie in the foreground. There are questions in international politics. Syria is one example where one needs to find solutions through contact with Russia from which we are still far away. There are other questions. I just named them - the illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia, Russia's military and political support of separatists in eastern Ukraine over which differences persist."
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SOT, Steffen Seibert, German government spokesperson (German): "Firstly, regarding today's visit of the UK prime minister. Tonight, there will be a news conference, where questions can be asked, which means I do not want to take anything away from it beforehand. Our stance on Brexit has been explained again and again here. We have always said that an orderly British withdrawal from the EU is preferable to a disorderly one but we live in realities and we must prepare for possible realities which is why the necessary preparations for an unorderly Brexit, legally as well as under the law, are being carried out both on the European and the national German levels. It is about many aspects and the ministries, each in their area of influence, will continue to carry out these necessary preparations intensively for a scenario, which we hope will not take place."
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W/S Spokespersons wrapping up news conference
SCRIPT
German government spokesperson Steffen Seibert said that Berlin would prefer an orderly exit of the UK from the European Union but it is preparing for a no deal scenario as well at a Federal Press Conference in the German capital on Wednesday.