(VOVworld) - British Prime Minister Theresa May urged her EU counterparts Thursday to make Brexit "as smooth and orderly as possible".

British Prime Minister Theresa May (right) and President of the European Council Donald Tusk (second, left) at a EU Summit in Brussels on December 15 (Photo: AFP)

May said Britain will invoke Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty next March, and she hopes Brexit negotiations will be completed within 2 years. Her spokesman rejected rumors that post-Brexit trade negotiations between Britain and the EU could take 10 years and said this is not Britain’s view. Ms. May welcomed the upcoming meeting of 27 EU members to discuss preparations for Brexit negotiations, saying it will benefit both Britain and its trade partners.