Ahead of the triggering of Article 50 Sadiq Khan travelled to Brussels and Paris to hold high-level talks on security and Brexit with European leaders and officials. He made the case that, despite Brexit, London remains open to business, investment, talent and ideas.
In Brussels - the day before Article 50 was triggered - the Mayor delivered the keynote speech at a POLITICO event for European business leaders and politicians. His message: that a bad Brexit deal for Britain will be a bad Brexit deal for the EU. Britain and the EU need to work together throughout the negotiations to get the best possible outcome for the UK and Europe.
He also had a message for the Prime Minister, Theresa May, as he called on the UK government to give an immediate cast-iron guarantee to EU nationals that they can stay in the UK after Brexit. There are 3.3 million EU nationals living in Britain - and a million in London. This is their home. EU nationals in the UK and UK nationals in the EU should not be used as bargaining chips in Brexit negotiations.
In Brussels he held a series of meetings with EU leaders on a range of issues affected by Brexit negotiations, including security, clean energy, air quality and science and innovation.
Travelling to Paris, Sadiq then met with Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo to discuss continued collaboration on security, business, tourism and air quality.
The Mayor's business delegation was out in force - meeting with Parisian business leaders and sending a clear message that London remains one of the most entrepreneurial and innovative business centres in the world.
Sadiq also met with Vincent Bolloré, Chair and CEO of Bolloré - a major investor in London and the UK - to send a message that London remains open for investment opportunities after Brexit.
The Mayor attended the C40 Cities Air'volution summit where he announced the new 'Cleaner vehicle checker' scheme - an online tool that will give Londoners and Parisians honest and accurate data on new car emissions before they buy, helping people to buy the cleanest possible new cars.
While the Mayor was in Paris the Prime Minister officially triggered Article 50, beginning the process of Britain leaving the EU.
The Mayor ended the trip with a message to all Europeans that #LondonIsOpen, that we remain a friend to Europe, and that the negotiators should work towards a deal that works for everyone.
"I didn't vote for Brexit, but I am optimistic about London's future. My conversations with European and EU leaders this week have left me in no doubt that there is a good Brexit deal to be done if the Government approaches it in the right way – a deal that is in the best interests of London, Britain and the EU."
