PM proposes transition period of two years after UK leaves EU
Theresa May addressed press and politicians in Florence
PM says EU 'never felt to us like integral part of our national story'
Theresa May says UK would pay its 'fair share' into the EU budget
She says the UK will be 'strongest friend and partner' for the EU
Labour says speech left 'questions unanswered'
Ben Wright
BBC political correspondent
Early in her speech, Theresa May says the UK will use the full weight of its military, security and diplomatic power to assist EU post-Brexit. She clearly thinks this is strong leverage for the UK.
"It's in all of our interests for our negotiations to succeed," Theresa May says in her Brexit address in Florence.
She adds: "The eyes of the world are on us, but if we can be imaginative and creative about the way we establish this relationship... I believe we can be optimistic about the future we build for the EU and the UK."
Explaining why British people voted for Brexit, Theresa May says they wanted "more direct control of the decisions that affect their daily lives".
The UK has never felt totally at home being in the EU, she says, adding that it "never felt to us an integral part of our national story" as it does in the rest of the EU.
Terrorism and crime respect no borders, Theresa May tells European leaders in her Florence speech.
"We may be leaving the European Union, but we are not leaving Europe," she said.
Ben Wright
BBC political correspondent
Theresa May sketching some links between the renaissance and Brexit. Hence Florence as the setting for this speech.
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Theresa May says Italy is at the frontline of evil traffickers exploiting men, women and children refugees who are seeking a better life.
The UK is working with Italy to deal with this crisis, she says.
Theresa May says she wants to forge a better, brighter future for the people of the EU, saying she looks ahead with optimism as the UK leaves the trading bloc.
"This will be a defining moment in the history of our nation," she says, adding that the EU is beginning a new chapter.
Theresa May says it's good to be here in this great city of Florence at a critical time.
Theresa May has started delivering her landmark speech which she hopes will break the deadlock in Brexit negotiations.
The UK prime minister is expected to use the speech in Florence to ask EU leaders to agree to a two-year transition period post Brexit.
The bulk of the audience listening to her address in the hall are journalists, along with some Italian dignitaries and members of Mrs May's cabinet.
The venue in Florence fills up ahead of the PM's speech
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Image source, ReutersTheresa May arrived for her big speech a short while ago in a Maserati - a very swish Italian sports car.
Journalists are taking their seats at the venue in Florence for Theresa May's speech, which is due to get under way any minute now.
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BBC News Channel
BBC assistant political editor Norman Smith is almost drowned out by an increasingly noisy protest in Florence.
UK citizens resident in other EU countries are chanting: "Theresa May, we're here to stay!"
As Norman points out, the rights of EU citizens to stay in the UK - and reciprocal rights for Brits abroad - is one of the major unresolved issues in the Brexit negotiations.
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Preparations are under way for Theresa May's landmark speech in Florence, which she hopes will break the deadlock in Brexit negotiations.
The PM's speech will take place shortly at the Santa Maria Novello basilica in the centre of the historic Italian city.
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