Britain to trigger Brexit process on March 29, gov't says

Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May speaks at the Conservative Spring Forum in Cardiff, Friday March 17, 2017. British Prime Minister Theresa May on Thursday rejected a call for a referendum on Scottish independence before Britain leaves the European Union — a move condemned as a "democratic outrage" by Scotland's nationalist leader. (Stefan Rousseau/PA via AP) (The Associated Press)

Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May speaks during a meeting with First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea, Wales, Monday March 20, 2017. The European Commission says it has been informed in advance of Britain's plans to trigger its exit from the EU on March 29 and stands ready to help launch the negotiations. (Ben Birchall/PA via AP) (The Associated Press)

FILE - In this June 28, 2016 file photo, members of protocol adjust the British and EU flags at EU headquarters in Brussels. On Monday, March 20, 2017 the European Commission said it has been informed in advance of Britain's plans to trigger its exit from the EU on March 29 and stands ready to help launch the negotiations. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert, File) (The Associated Press)

Britain's government says it will trigger Article 50, signaling Britain's departure from the European Union, on March 29.

The Department for Exiting the European Union said in a statement that Britain's permanent representative to the EU, Tim Barrow, informed the European Council President Donald Tusk of the timing on Monday morning. The notification of triggering Article 50 will come in the form of a letter.

Brexit Secretary David Davis said in a statement that the country is "on the threshold of the most important negotiation" for a generation.