BACKGROUND THIS WEEK in Brexit: Brexit begins: May triggers EU 'divorce'

London (dpa) - In a crucial week for Britain‘s withdrawal from the European Union, Prime Minister Theresa May triggered two years of formal Brexit negotiations.- On Wednesday, MAY sent the long-anticipated letter to the European Union, officially launching Article 50 proceedings and putting Britain on track to leave the EU by March 29, 2019.- British Brexit Secretary David DAVIS on Thursday had to defend language in the letter, in which May said cooperation on crime and terrorism could be weakened without a deal, saying it was not a threat. - EU Council President Donald TUSK told the EU on Wednesday that the members of the EU "already miss you," but made clear on Friday that the EU would not allow simultaneous dealmaking on Brexit and then a trade agreement. First Brexit, then trade, he said, undermining British hopes.- Meanwhile, SCOTLAND made moves to once again seek independence from Britain, arguing that being forced into Brexit justified a second independence referendum after a failed one in 2014. The region‘s parliament voted support for the move on Tuesday, with the formal request filed to London on Friday.- The move towards Brexit also increased tensions in NORTHERN IRELAND, where Sinn Fein president GERRY ADAMS worried that the move to Brexit would mean a return of a hard border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, a development he called "totally unacceptable."