British Prime Minister Theresa May on Monday said the UK would remain a "fully engaged and active member" of the European Union until it eventually leaves the 28-nation bloc.

May was speaking at a news conference in Copenhagen alongside her Danish counterpart, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, who described the UK's decision to leave the EU as "tragic."

"I can assure you that we will miss you when you leave," Rasmussen added.

May reiterated her stance that the process for the UK's departure would be triggered no later than March 2017, but added that she expected "to be able to guarantee the legal rights of EU nationals already in the UK," as long as the rights of Britons residing in the EU were maintained.

The former British Home Secretary also stated that the UK would continue its obligations as a full EU member until the point of its departure.

Copenhagen - 10 October 2016

1. British Prime Minister Theresa May and Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen approach stage

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Lars Lokke Rasmussen, Danish Prime Minister:

"We (Denmark and the UK) joined the European Union together 44 years ago in 1972, so having that history in mind, and having in mind that we have worked closely together within the European Union, and that we look eye-to-eye on many different issues - sound fiscal policy, free trade, efficient institutions, etcetera - I must say that I frankly think it is tragic that the UK is leaving the European Union. But, the British have made their decision, and of course we respect that - and there's no way around the divorce. But I can assure you that we will miss you when you leave."

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Theresa May, British Prime Minister:

"But of course we are leaving the EU, so if I turn to Brexit, Lars and I have already talked about the work we are doing in the United Kingdom to prepare for those exit negotiations. As I said last week, we will formally trigger the process of leaving no later than the end of March next year, and I hope it can be a smooth and orderly departure. That's in the interests of Britain, but I think it's in the interests of all other European countries as well. The relationship will be different in the future because we won't be members of the Union, but I want the agreement that we come to to reflect the kind of mature, cooperative relationship that close friends and allies have. And, as part of that, I expect to be able to guarantee the legal rights of EU nationals already in the UK, so long as the British nationals living in Europe - in countries who are member states of the EU - receive the same treatment."

++BLACK FRAMES++

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Theresa May, British Prime Minister:

"Now while the UK remains a member of the EU, we will meet our various rights and obligations. We will be a fully engaged and active member of the EU until the point at which we leave, and that's how I'm approaching this first European Council meeting that I will be attending later this month, and we want to work with our European partners. We want to ensure a consistent and firm response to Russian aggression, we want to do more to address the root causes of mass migration that is affecting people and those movements into Europe and, as you have said Lars, I think we want to stand up for free trade. We want to ensure that people recognise the importance of free trade as a spur to economic growth. That's something on which I think we think very much alike, and on which we firmly agree, and we certainly want to be taking that argument forward and continuing to promote free trade."

5. Rasmussen and May shaking hands and leaving news conference