Nicolas Sarkozy promises to offer UK chance to change decision on Brexit if he becomes French president

'I would tell the British, you’ve gone out, but we have a new treaty on the table so you have an opportunity to vote again'

Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy has said he wants to give the UK another chance to reconsider Brexit (AP)

Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy has said he plans to offer Britain the chance to reverse its Brexit decision if he regains the leadership next year.

Mr Sarkozy told business leaders in Paris he would attempt to negotiate a new draft of the EU treaty with Germany shortly after the French presidential election in May, enabling the UK to reconsider the vote to leave the European Union.

Should he be re-elected president, Mr Sarkozy admitted he faces considerable pressure from France’s National Front party to push for EU reforms - including changing the Schengen Zone and denying membership to Turkey.

“I would tell the British, you’ve gone out, but we have a new treaty on the table so you have an opportunity to vote again,” Mr Sarkozy said, according to FT.

“But this time not on the old Europe, on the new Europe. Do you want to stay? If yes, so much the better. Because I can’t accept to lose Europe’s second-largest economy while we are negotiating with Turkey over its EU membership. And if it’s no, then it’s a real no. You’re in or you’re out.”

On the subject of Turkey’s prospective membership, the presidential hopeful added: “Maybe it’s time to tell Turkey that its place is in Asia. I am a staunch European, I would never accept to leave the euro, but Europe doesn’t function at all.

“Everybody in Europe is annoyed when France and Germany strike deals, but when they don’t, everybody frets. And don’t tell me this treaty would be complicated to negotiate. I have a lot of experience negotiating treaties. The worst would be to do nothing.”

Mr Sarkozy said he believed failure to negotiate a new treaty on the terms of the EU would only contribute to the rise of anti-EU nationalist parties including the National Front.

Meanwhile UK prime minister Theresa May has reportedly confirmed Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty will most likely be triggered “early next year”, starting the process to withdraw the UK from the union.

The comments were allegedly relayed to Northern Ireland's deputy first minister Martin McGuinness during a recent meeting.

After Article 50 is triggered, a "two year negotiation period" with the country in question will commence according to EU rules. The process is considered to be irrevocable.