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| Brexit: World reaction as UK votes to leave EU | Brexit: World reaction as UK votes to leave EU |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| International reaction has been coming in following the UK vote to leave the European Union. | |
| Joint statement by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, European Council President Donald Tusk, European Parliament President Martin Schulz, and Dutch PM Mark Rutte | Joint statement by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, European Council President Donald Tusk, European Parliament President Martin Schulz, and Dutch PM Mark Rutte |
| "We now expect the United Kingdom government to give effect to this decision of the British people as soon as possible, however painful that process may be. Any delay would unnecessarily prolong uncertainty. | "We now expect the United Kingdom government to give effect to this decision of the British people as soon as possible, however painful that process may be. Any delay would unnecessarily prolong uncertainty. |
| "We hope to have the UK as a close partner of the EU also in the future." | "We hope to have the UK as a close partner of the EU also in the future." |
| Brexit: What happens next? | Brexit: What happens next? |
| Joe Biden, US Vice-President | Joe Biden, US Vice-President |
| "We would have preferred a different outcome, but the United States has a long-standing friendship with the United Kingdom and that very special bond will endure." | "We would have preferred a different outcome, but the United States has a long-standing friendship with the United Kingdom and that very special bond will endure." |
| Geert Wilders, Dutch Freedom Party leader | Geert Wilders, Dutch Freedom Party leader |
| "Hurrah for the British! Now it is our turn. Time for a Dutch referendum!" | "Hurrah for the British! Now it is our turn. Time for a Dutch referendum!" |
| Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right Front National in France | Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right Front National in France |
| "Victory for freedom! The British people have given to Europeans and to all the people of the world a shining lesson in democracy. | "Victory for freedom! The British people have given to Europeans and to all the people of the world a shining lesson in democracy. |
| "As I have been asking for years, now we need to have the same referendum in France and in the countries of the EU." | "As I have been asking for years, now we need to have the same referendum in France and in the countries of the EU." |
| Read more about demands for EU referendums in other countries | Read more about demands for EU referendums in other countries |
| Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany | Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany |
| "We take note of the British people's decision with regret. There is no doubt that this is a blow to Europe and to the European unification process." | "We take note of the British people's decision with regret. There is no doubt that this is a blow to Europe and to the European unification process." |
| Ms Merkel said that because of its history, Germany has "a particular interest and a particular responsibility" to make European unity a success. | Ms Merkel said that because of its history, Germany has "a particular interest and a particular responsibility" to make European unity a success. |
| Enda Kenny, Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland | Enda Kenny, Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland |
| "I am very sorry that the result of the referendum is for the UK to leave the European Union. However, the British people have spoken and we fully respect their decision. | "I am very sorry that the result of the referendum is for the UK to leave the European Union. However, the British people have spoken and we fully respect their decision. |
| "Ireland will, of course, remain a member of the European Union. That is profoundly in our national interest." | "Ireland will, of course, remain a member of the European Union. That is profoundly in our national interest." |
| After the UK leaves the EU, its only land border with an EU country will be between Ireland and Northern Ireland. Mr Kenny said the Irish government would "do our utmost" to maintain a pre-EU agreement of an open border for travellers and "minimise any possible disruptions to the flow of people, goods and services between these islands". | After the UK leaves the EU, its only land border with an EU country will be between Ireland and Northern Ireland. Mr Kenny said the Irish government would "do our utmost" to maintain a pre-EU agreement of an open border for travellers and "minimise any possible disruptions to the flow of people, goods and services between these islands". |
| Read more about Ireland's reaction | Read more about Ireland's reaction |
| Manuel Valls, French Prime Minister | Manuel Valls, French Prime Minister |
| "It's an explosive shock. At stake is the break-up pure and simple of the union. | "It's an explosive shock. At stake is the break-up pure and simple of the union. |
| "Now is the time to invent another Europe." | "Now is the time to invent another Europe." |
| Vladimir Putin, Russian President | |
| "A statement by the Prime Minister of Great Britain Mr Cameron before... the referendum, in which he voiced the position of Russia [that Moscow would benefit from Brexit] has no basis. I think this is nothing more than a flawed attempt to influence public opinion in his own country. | |
| "As we can see, even this did not bring the right result for those who did it, and moreover after the vote no-one has the right to make statements about some position of Russia. This is nothing more than a demonstration of the low level of political culture." | |
| Petro Poroshenko, President of Ukraine | Petro Poroshenko, President of Ukraine |
| "Today the most urgent challenge the European Union is facing is finding a way to the hearts and minds of Eurosceptics in order not to leave a single chance to opponents of the European integration project and their generous sponsors. I do hope that the sanctions again Russia as an aggressor state will be extended." | "Today the most urgent challenge the European Union is facing is finding a way to the hearts and minds of Eurosceptics in order not to leave a single chance to opponents of the European integration project and their generous sponsors. I do hope that the sanctions again Russia as an aggressor state will be extended." |
| Jens Stoltenberg, Nato Secretary General | Jens Stoltenberg, Nato Secretary General |
| "The UK will remain a strong and committed Nato ally, and will continue to play its leading role in our alliance. | "The UK will remain a strong and committed Nato ally, and will continue to play its leading role in our alliance. |
| "Today, as we face more instability and uncertainty, Nato is more important than ever as a platform for co-operation among European allies, and between Europe and North America. A strong, united and determined Nato remains an essential pillar of stability in a turbulent world, and a key contributor to international peace and security. | "Today, as we face more instability and uncertainty, Nato is more important than ever as a platform for co-operation among European allies, and between Europe and North America. A strong, united and determined Nato remains an essential pillar of stability in a turbulent world, and a key contributor to international peace and security. |
| "The alliance remains committed to closer cooperation with the European Union." | "The alliance remains committed to closer cooperation with the European Union." |
| Christine Lagarde, managing director of the International Monetary Fund | |
| "We urge the authorities in the UK and Europe to work collaboratively to ensure a smooth transition to a new economic relationship between the UK and the EU, including by clarifying the procedures and broad objectives that will guide the process." | |
| Finance ministers of the G7 [comprising Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US] | |
| "We recognise that excessive volatility and disorderly movements in exchange rates can have adverse implications for economic and financial stability. | |
| "G7 central banks have taken steps to ensure adequate liquidity and to support the functioning of markets. We stand ready to use the established liquidity instruments to that end." | |
| Gianni Pittella, leader of the Socialist group in the European Parliament | Gianni Pittella, leader of the Socialist group in the European Parliament |
| "This is a sad day for us, but we will respect the will of the British people. This is not a funeral for Europe. This can be a new start for Europe, and we will regain the confidence of the citizens." | "This is a sad day for us, but we will respect the will of the British people. This is not a funeral for Europe. This can be a new start for Europe, and we will regain the confidence of the citizens." |
| Manfred Weber, leader of the largest group in the European Parliament, the EPP | Manfred Weber, leader of the largest group in the European Parliament, the EPP |
| "Exit negotiations should be concluded within 2 years at max. There cannot be any special treatment. Leave means leave." | "Exit negotiations should be concluded within 2 years at max. There cannot be any special treatment. Leave means leave." |
| Stefan Lofven, Prime Minister of Sweden | Stefan Lofven, Prime Minister of Sweden |
| "The debate and campaigning in the run-up to the referendum should serve as a wake-up call for Europe. They elicited stark polarisation and disturbing nationalism. This shows that EU cooperation must be developed and improved." | "The debate and campaigning in the run-up to the referendum should serve as a wake-up call for Europe. They elicited stark polarisation and disturbing nationalism. This shows that EU cooperation must be developed and improved." |
| Sebastian Kurz, Austrian Foreign Minister | Sebastian Kurz, Austrian Foreign Minister |
| "A domino effect on other countries cannot be ruled out." | "A domino effect on other countries cannot be ruled out." |
| He told Austrian radio that the EU as a whole would survive. | He told Austrian radio that the EU as a whole would survive. |
| Mariano Rajoy, Prime Minister of Spain | Mariano Rajoy, Prime Minister of Spain |
| "Spain will remain committed to the EU. The EU is the area of greatest prosperity and wellbeing; we will continue building a better future between us. | "Spain will remain committed to the EU. The EU is the area of greatest prosperity and wellbeing; we will continue building a better future between us. |
| "We need stability. Above all we will continue defending Spaniards' interests and greater European integration. | "We need stability. Above all we will continue defending Spaniards' interests and greater European integration. |
| "Spain now has a solid economic base in order to weather the financial turbulence which Brexit could cause. We are prepared." | "Spain now has a solid economic base in order to weather the financial turbulence which Brexit could cause. We are prepared." |
| Spain calls for joint control of Gibraltar | Spain calls for joint control of Gibraltar |
| Donald Trump, US Republican Party presumptive nominee | Donald Trump, US Republican Party presumptive nominee |
| "I wish everybody a lot of luck. It's historic." | "I wish everybody a lot of luck. It's historic." |
| The presidential hopeful is visiting a golf resort he owns in Scotland today. He said it is a "great thing" that the people of the UK have "taken back their country". | The presidential hopeful is visiting a golf resort he owns in Scotland today. He said it is a "great thing" that the people of the UK have "taken back their country". |
| Alexis Tsipras, Prime Minister of Greece | Alexis Tsipras, Prime Minister of Greece |
| "Brexit will be either a wake-up call or the beginning of a dangerous path for European people. | "Brexit will be either a wake-up call or the beginning of a dangerous path for European people. |
| "We respect the decision of British people, which confirms the deep political and identity crisis of the EU. | "We respect the decision of British people, which confirms the deep political and identity crisis of the EU. |
| "The extreme choices of austerity that widened the inequality between countries of the north and south, fences and closed borders and the denial to share the burden of the debt and migrant crises had signalled an extended crisis in Europe." | "The extreme choices of austerity that widened the inequality between countries of the north and south, fences and closed borders and the denial to share the burden of the debt and migrant crises had signalled an extended crisis in Europe." |
| Robert Fico, Prime Minister of Slovakia | Robert Fico, Prime Minister of Slovakia |
| "Let's realise that a great part of people living in Europe reject the EU's migration policy, there is great dissatisfaction with the EU's economic policy. | "Let's realise that a great part of people living in Europe reject the EU's migration policy, there is great dissatisfaction with the EU's economic policy. |
| "It is up to us, the remaining 27 union member states, whether we find enough strength to say that fundamental policies of the EU must go through fundamental changes." | "It is up to us, the remaining 27 union member states, whether we find enough strength to say that fundamental policies of the EU must go through fundamental changes." |
| Slovakia will take on the six-month presidency of the EU from next month. | Slovakia will take on the six-month presidency of the EU from next month. |
| Bohuslav Sobotka, Czech Prime Minister | Bohuslav Sobotka, Czech Prime Minister |
| "Britain's decision is serious and irreversible. | "Britain's decision is serious and irreversible. |
| "The EU has to change. Not because Britain left, but because the European project needs much stronger support from citizens. | "The EU has to change. Not because Britain left, but because the European project needs much stronger support from citizens. |
| "The EU is for us, the Czech Republic, the best possible guarantee of stability, peace and prosperity." | "The EU is for us, the Czech Republic, the best possible guarantee of stability, peace and prosperity." |
| Andrzej Duda, President of Poland | Andrzej Duda, President of Poland |
| "One must do everything to prevent other countries from leaving." | "One must do everything to prevent other countries from leaving." |
| Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of Portugal | Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of Portugal |
| "We have to serenely respect the decision of the majority of the British people, in the certainty that the European project remains valid to defend the values that mark our common identity." | "We have to serenely respect the decision of the majority of the British people, in the certainty that the European project remains valid to defend the values that mark our common identity." |
| Viktor Orban, Prime Minister of Hungary | Viktor Orban, Prime Minister of Hungary |
| "We believe in a strong Europe, but Europe is strong only if it can give solutions which make it stronger, to significant problems like migration." | "We believe in a strong Europe, but Europe is strong only if it can give solutions which make it stronger, to significant problems like migration." |
| Taavi Roivas, Prime Minister of Estonia | Taavi Roivas, Prime Minister of Estonia |
| "Deeply sad for the EU referendum result. We will go on and stay strong with 27, but EU will not be the same without Great Britain" | "Deeply sad for the EU referendum result. We will go on and stay strong with 27, but EU will not be the same without Great Britain" |
| Timo Soini, Finnish Foreign Minister from the eurosceptic Finns Party | Timo Soini, Finnish Foreign Minister from the eurosceptic Finns Party |
| "The nation has had its say." | "The nation has had its say." |
| Speaking of the negotiations that must come between the UK and the EU following this vote, he said: "Any retaliation and whinge is out of the question." | Speaking of the negotiations that must come between the UK and the EU following this vote, he said: "Any retaliation and whinge is out of the question." |
| Binali Yildirim, Prime Minister of Turkey | Binali Yildirim, Prime Minister of Turkey |
| "The EU should read this development very well and reassess its future vision." | "The EU should read this development very well and reassess its future vision." |
| Pavel Filip, Prime Minister of Moldova | Pavel Filip, Prime Minister of Moldova |
| "A sad day for Europe and for European and international friends of Great Britain. | "A sad day for Europe and for European and international friends of Great Britain. |
| "The European edifice needs reconfirmation more than ever. Moldova remains attached to its European course despite the results of the referendum in the UK because we consider the EU a successful project and we want to be part of it, based on reforms, during the next years." | "The European edifice needs reconfirmation more than ever. Moldova remains attached to its European course despite the results of the referendum in the UK because we consider the EU a successful project and we want to be part of it, based on reforms, during the next years." |
| Klaus Iohannis, President of Romania | Klaus Iohannis, President of Romania |
| "Romania will negotiate so that its interest is protected and the interest of our citizens who live and work in Great Britain is protected." | "Romania will negotiate so that its interest is protected and the interest of our citizens who live and work in Great Britain is protected." |
| Erna Solberg, Prime Minister of Norway | Erna Solberg, Prime Minister of Norway |
| "British voters and many other voters around Europe feel that the EU is not providing good enough answers to today's challenges." | "British voters and many other voters around Europe feel that the EU is not providing good enough answers to today's challenges." |
| Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan | Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan |
| "We are very concerned over the risks to the global economy, and financial and exchange markets." | "We are very concerned over the risks to the global economy, and financial and exchange markets." |
| Hua Chunying, Spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry | Hua Chunying, Spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry |
| "A prosperous Europe is in the interests of all parties and China is willing to keep co-operating with Britain and is fully confident in China-EU ties." | "A prosperous Europe is in the interests of all parties and China is willing to keep co-operating with Britain and is fully confident in China-EU ties." |
| Arun Jaitley, Indian Finance Minister | Arun Jaitley, Indian Finance Minister |
| "In this globalized world, volatility and uncertainty are the new norms. This verdict will obviously further contribute to such volatility not least because its full implications for the UK, Europe and the rest of the world are still uncertain. | "In this globalized world, volatility and uncertainty are the new norms. This verdict will obviously further contribute to such volatility not least because its full implications for the UK, Europe and the rest of the world are still uncertain. |
| "All countries around the world will have to brace themselves for a period of possible turbulence while being watchful about, and alert to, the referendum's medium term impacts." | "All countries around the world will have to brace themselves for a period of possible turbulence while being watchful about, and alert to, the referendum's medium term impacts." |
| Najib Abdul Razak, Prime Minister of Malaysia | Najib Abdul Razak, Prime Minister of Malaysia |
| "There will be testing times ahead for the UK. But the British people should know that one old friend will always be with them, as they open a new chapter in their long history." | "There will be testing times ahead for the UK. But the British people should know that one old friend will always be with them, as they open a new chapter in their long history." |
| Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister of Singapore | Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister of Singapore |
| "Other developed countries also face similar challenges as Britain. We all live in a globalised, interdependent world. The desire to disengage, to be less constrained by one's partners, to be free to do things entirely as one chooses, is entirely understandable. And yet in reality for many countries, disengaging and turning inwards will likely lead to less security, less prosperity, and a dimmer future. | "Other developed countries also face similar challenges as Britain. We all live in a globalised, interdependent world. The desire to disengage, to be less constrained by one's partners, to be free to do things entirely as one chooses, is entirely understandable. And yet in reality for many countries, disengaging and turning inwards will likely lead to less security, less prosperity, and a dimmer future. |
| "Singapore will continue to cultivate our ties with Britain, which is a long standing friend and partner." | "Singapore will continue to cultivate our ties with Britain, which is a long standing friend and partner." |
| Malcolm Turnbull, Australian Prime Minister | Malcolm Turnbull, Australian Prime Minister |
| "The impact on Australia immediately, directly, from a legal point of view, will be very limited because it will take some years for the United Kingdom to leave the European Union, to negotiate an exit. However, we've seen already large falls on stock markets and there will be a degree of uncertainty for some time." | "The impact on Australia immediately, directly, from a legal point of view, will be very limited because it will take some years for the United Kingdom to leave the European Union, to negotiate an exit. However, we've seen already large falls on stock markets and there will be a degree of uncertainty for some time." |