World Bulletin / News Desk

EU President Donald Tusk said Wednesday the bloc does not want to "build a wall" with Britain as it leaves the bloc but warned in new guidelines for trade talks of a negative economic impact.

The former Polish premier said he wanted a standard free-trade deal with Britain after 2019, insisting that Britain could not "pick and mix" the benefits of EU membership.

"My proposal shows that we don't want to build a wall between the EU and Britain. On the contrary, the UK will be our closest neighbour and we want to remain friends and partners," Tusk told a press conference in Luxembourg.

Tusk, who met May last week, said the EU would aim for an agreement "covering all sectors and with zero tariffs on goods", but said it must include access for EU fishing boats to British waters -- a highly sensitive issue for hardline Brexit supporters.

And on services -- vital to Britain's crucial financial sector -- Tusk simply indicated the deal should "address" the issue.