Britain lacks experience in international negotiations due to its long membership of the European Union and this could slow talks on its departure from the EU, the premier of non-EU Norway said, adding that she feared "a very hard Brexit". British Prime Minister Theresa May intends to launch by the end of March the two-year process of negotiations to leave the EU. They are expected to be some of the most complicated international talks Britain has engaged in since World War Two.

In an interview with Reuters, Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg said she hoped Britain would be able to negotiate an agreement that keeps it very close to the EU but it would be a difficult task. "And we do feel that sometimes when we are discussing with Britain, that their speed is limited by the fact that it is such a long time since they have negotiated" alone on such issues, she said late on Wednesday while attending a meeting of the Bavarian Christian Social Union (CSU) in southern Germany.

"I fear a very hard Brexit, but I hope we will find a better solution," Solberg said. Though not in the EU, Norway is part of the bloc's single market and allows free movement for EU workers. It also contributes to the EU budget and participates in Europe's open-border Schengen agreement. Some Britons favour a Norway-style close relationship with the EU after Brexit. Others argue for a "hard Brexit" that would take Britain out of both the single market and the bloc's customs union. Britain has never joined the Schengen scheme.

Copyright Reuters, 2017