EU Wants Speedy UK's Confirmation Of BREXIT Vote

European Union leaders on Friday said they expected the British government to speedily give effect to British people’s decision to exit the 28-member country group as soon as possible to avoid “prolonged uncertainty”.

The president of the European Council, Donald Tusk, and his counterparts in European Parliament, Martin Schulz; European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, and holder of the rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU, Mark Rutte, said in a joint statement in Brussels that although they regret the outcome of the UK referendum, they respect the decision.

Despite what they called a “painful process”, the EU leaders said they expected the UK government to give effect to the decision of the British people as soon as possible.

The British people on Thursday, in a vote of 52:48, won a landmark referendum to leave the EU.

“In a free and democratic process, the British people have expressed their wish to leave the European Union. We regret this decision, but respect it,” the EU leader said.

Describing the decision as “unprecedented”, the EU leaders said they were united in their response and would stand strong to uphold the EU’s core values of promoting peace and the well-being of its peoples.

“The Union of 27 member States will continue. The Union is the framework of our common political future. We are bound together by history, geography and common interests and will develop our cooperation on this basis.

“Together we will address our common challenge to generate growth, increase prosperity and ensure a safe and secure environment for our citizens. The institutions will play their full role in this endeavour,” they said.

The EU leaders said Article 50 of the Treaty on EU sets out the procedure for a members’ orderly exit, pointing out that they were ready to launch negotiations swiftly with the UK government on the terms and conditions of its withdrawal.

They said until the process of negotiations was over, the UK would remain a member of the group, with all the rights and obligations derived from it, with EU Treaties and laws, which the UK ratified, continuing to apply in full.

EU law still stands in the UK until it ceases being a member. It is not clear how long it would take for process of negotiation and agreement would take.

With the outcome of the referendum, the UK has to first notify the president of the European Council of its intention to leave either through negotiation between the UK and the EU or an agreement on the terms of its withdrawal from the group.

Until a formal agreement is reached at the end of the negotiations, the EU leaders said the “New Settlement for the United Kingdom within the European Union”, reached at the European Council on February 18-19, 2016, would not take effect and ceases to exist.