Brexit

#Brexit: European Parliament debates outcome and consequences of UK referendum

Published

10 years ago

June 28, 2016

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said: "The Parliament will discuss today (28 June) the place of the UK near the EU and I decided to be today in the house of European democracy.

"At the end of the day we must respect the will of the British people but this has also some consequences. I am sad after the vote in the UK. I really would have liked that the UK would have decided to stay with us but they decided differently.

"The prime minister should clarify the situation soon. I'm sad because I'm not a robot, a bureaucrat or a technocrat. I'm a human being and I regret the results of the referendum.

"I would like the UK to clarify its position. We cannot allow ourselves a prolonged time of uncertainty period. There won't be secret negotiations. No notification, no negotiation.

"I welcome and celebrate the reunification of the EU, I welcome new member states. We need to reassure Europeans. Our flight continues, our journey continues.

"We need less bureaucracy and we are working on that. Europe must become more social and it will become. The European Commission will continue to do , what we have promised to do at the beginning of our mandate. Europe is a project of peace and a project for the future. To my last breath I will fight for Europe, for a united Europe."

Dutch Defence Minister Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, on behalf of the Council, said: ”Following this result [of the UK referendum] which we respect there is deep, deep regret. But there is also a strong resolve that we show unity in our response.

"Until the UK exit is finalized, the UK will be a member of the Council with all the rights and obligations that derives from this.

"The UK is and will always be a European nation. We share the same values, we harbour the same hopes and we will continue to work together as partners and allies. No-one will benefit from a prolonged period of political limbo. The ball is in the British court and we do look forward to hearing from London soon."

She also talked about the historical role of the EU as it reunited Eastern and Western Europe and ensured the longest period of peace on our continent in modern times: Never in modern history have we enjoyed so much freedom, so much wealth, and so much stability in Europe."

European Parliament President Martin Schulz, opening the debate, said: "The decision has been taken in the UK and it is a decision of the British people, but it is one that affects all citizens of the European Union. Hence it's obviously clear that the representatives of the European peoples today meet in this House to discuss this case.

"The will of the majority of citizens of the United Kingdom must be done. It has to be respected and that is why we will be looking today intensively at the issue of Article 50 and its triggering."

Follow the Storify page for live coverage of the debate.