Read Theresa May’s Letter That Officially Triggers Brexit FORTUNE

U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday officially launched the two-year process that will split Britain from the European Union. In a signed letter to EU Council President Donald Tusk, May said she's "giv[ing] effect to the democratic decision of the people of the United Kingdom" and notifying the Council of "the United Kingdom's intention to withdraw from the European Union."

The formal notice, filed nine months after U.K. citizens voted 51.9% to 48.1% in favor of Brexit, was delivered to Tusk by Tim Barrow, the U.K.'s permanent representative to the EU. Its submission serves as the starting gun for the negotiation process to determine Britain's future relationship with the 60-year-old bloc. May said she hopes those talks result in a "deep and special partnership" between the U.K. and union it's leaving.

Read the full text of her letter below:

U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May's Letter to European Council President Donald Tusk