German foreign minister Sigmar Gabriel said on Tuesday that he hoped Britain's early general election would lead to more "clarity and accountability" in Brexit negotiations with the European Union (EU).

"Predictability and reliability are more important than ever after the Brexit vote in Britain," Gabriel told German media group Funke Mediengruppe in an interview after the British Prime Minister Theresa May on Tuesday called for an early general election on June 8.

Gabriel said that should uncertainties go on any longer, it would do no good to the political and economic ties between Europe and Britain.

"Hopefully, the new election announcement today by Prime Minister May will lead to more clarity and accountability in the negotiations with EU," Gabriel said.

The unexpected announcement of snap elections on Tuesday was the result of disharmony and division in the Houses of Parliament over Brexit, May said. The only way to guarantee certainty and stability for the years ahead was to "hold this election and seek your support for the decisions I must take," she added.

source: Xinhua