Valletta, March 31 (RHC-Xinhua) -- European Council President Donald Tusk reiterated on Friday that the European Union (EU) would not seek to take a punitive approach in the forthcoming talks on Britain's exit of the EU (Brexit), noting Brexit on its own is punitive enough.

Tusk made these remarks at a joint press conference with Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat in Valletta, capital of Malta, on the draft negotiation guidelines for Brexit.

Foreseeing the talks would be difficult, complex and sometimes confrontational, Tusk hoped the divorce would be as smooth as possible and stressed that the only point contact for the talks would be with EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier.

First, agreement on the principles for Brexit is needed and once sufficient progress is achieved, negotiations on a new relationship would be able to start, he said.

The 27 EU states will decide if sufficient progress has been achieved, probably by autumn, he said.

Tusk said that the main duty is to minimize uncertainty and disruption for citizens, businesses and member states.