BREXIT Discussion, v3.0: World Leaders' Reaction After The U.K Voted To Leave The European Union.

[Arkain2K]

Brexit: World Leaders' Reaction after the U.K. voted to leave European Union
June 24, 2016

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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 hope to have the UK as a close partner of the EU also in the future."

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.

"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."

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."

Mrs Merkel said that because of its history, Germany has "a particular interest and a particular responsibility" to make European unity a success.

Barack Obama, U.S President:

"The people of the United Kingdom have spoken, and we respect their decision. The special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom is enduring, and the United Kingdom's membership in Nato remains a vital cornerstone of US foreign, security, and economic policy.

"So too is our relationship with the European Union, which has done so much to promote stability, stimulate economic growth, and foster the spread of democratic values and ideals across the continent and beyond.

"The United Kingdom and the European Union will remain indispensable partners of the United States even as they begin negotiating their ongoing relationship to ensure continued stability, security, and prosperity for Europe, Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the world."

Full statement

Francois Hollande, French President:

"This is a painful choice and it is deeply regrettable both for the UK and Europe. But this choice is theirs and we must respect it, accepting all the consequences.

"The British vote is a tough test for Europe."

Full statement (in French)

Manuel Valls, French Prime Minister:

"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."

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."

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.

"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".

Geert Wilders, Dutch Freedom Party leader:

Dutch far-right politician Geert Wilders, whose Party for Freedom (PVV) opposes immigration, told the BBC he believed the end of the EU was now just "a matter of time".

He also tweeted that it was "time for a Dutch referendum".

Marine Le Pen, leader of the 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.

"As I have been asking for years, now we need to have the same referendum in France and in the countries of the EU."

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 against Russia as an aggressor state will be extended."

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 [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."

Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada:

"The people of the UK have chosen to leave the EU.

"The UK and the EU are important strategic partners for Canada with whom we enjoy deep historical ties and common values. We will continue to build relations with both parties as they forge a new relationship.

"Canada's connections to our partners around the world are among its greatest assets, and these relationships contribute greatly to the prosperity of all Canadians.

"Canada has tremendous economic fundamentals that we are strengthening with key investments in infrastructure and measures to grow our middle class. We are well positioned to weather global market uncertainty as we have done in the past."

Full statement

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."

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."

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."

Sebastian Kurz, Austrian Foreign Minister:

"A domino effect on other countries cannot be ruled out."

He told Austrian radio that the EU as a whole would survive.

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.

"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 calls for joint control of Gibraltar

Donald Trump, US Republican Party presumptive presidential nominee

"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".

Hillary Clinton, US Democratic Party presidential contender

"We respect the choice the people of the United Kingdom have made.

"Our first task has to be to make sure that the economic uncertainty created by these events does not hurt working families here in America. We also have to make clear America's steadfast commitment to the special relationship with Britain and the transatlantic alliance with Europe.

"This time of uncertainty only underscores the need for calm, steady, experienced leadership in the White House to protect Americans' pocketbooks and livelihoods, to support our friends and allies, to stand up to our adversaries, and to defend our interests. It also underscores the need for us to pull together to solve our challenges as a country, not tear each other down."

Alexis Tsipras, Prime Minister of Greece:

"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.

"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."

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's spokesman:

"Now, as the United Kingdom and other EU member states embark on the process of charting a way forward, the secretary general trusts in Europe's well-proven history of pragmatism and common responsibility in the interest of European citizens.

"At the UN, we look forward to continuing our work with the United Kingdom and the European Union - both important partners.

"The secretary general expects the European Union to continue to be a solid partner for the United Nations on development and humanitarian issues, as well as peace and security, including migration.

"He also expects that the United Kingdom will continue to exercise its leadership in many areas, including development. He very much hopes that this will continue.

"When we work together, we are stronger."

Full statement

Jacob Zuma, President of South Africa:

"It will take two years for the institutional changes that this vote implies to be negotiated and we remain committed to retaining strong trade and financial relations with both Britain and the European Union.

"The uncertainty that arises from this vote means that the volatility that has characterised capital markets in the lead-up to the vote may persist.

"The National Treasury and the South African Reserve Bank have been in discussions with financial institutions on the possible implications for the South African economy. Our banks and financial institutions are well positioned to withstand financial shocks to the system as demonstrated in previous episodes including the 2008/09 global financial crisis.

"We are therefore confident that our financial system including the banks and the regulatory framework are extremely resilient and reliable."

Statement in full

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.

"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.

Bohuslav Sobotka, Czech Prime Minister:

"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 is for us, the Czech Republic, the best possible guarantee of stability, peace and prosperity."

Andrzej Duda, President of Poland:

"One must do everything to prevent other countries from leaving."

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."

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."

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"

Timo Soini, Finnish Foreign Minister:

"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."

Binali Yildirim, Prime Minister of Turkey:

"The EU should read this development very well and reassess its future vision."

Pavel Filip, Prime Minister of Moldova:

"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."

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."

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."

Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan:

"We are very concerned over the risks to the global economy, and financial and exchange markets."

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."

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.

"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:

"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:

"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."

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."

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-eu-referendum-36614643

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Previous Threads:

Brexit Discussion v2: The Day After The Vote

• Prime Minister David Cameron announces he will step down (June 24, 2016)
• Salmond says Scotland must now hold second independence referendum (June 24, 2016)
• European council president Donald Tusk promised “wider reflection” on the future of the EU (June 24, 2016)
  
• Brexit: What happens now? (June 24, 2016)
• Will Scotland Call Another Independence Referendum? (June 24, 2016)
• Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness calls for border poll on united Ireland after EU referendum result (June 23, 2016
• What will happen now that Britain has voted to leave the E.U. (June 23, 2016)
• Britain votes to leave EU in historic divorce (June 23, 2016)
• In stunning decision, Britain votes to leave the E.U. (June 23, 2016)
• The E.U Referendum - Live Results

Brexit Discussion v1: Counting Down to the Referendum

• AS IT HAPPENS: DAY OF THE REFERENDUM (June 23)
• What the newspapers in other countries think about Brexit on voting day (June 23)
• ‘Brexit’ Vote Will Change Europe, No Matter the Outcome (June 21)
• Brexit: What does the E.U referendum mean for the U.S? (June 21)
• 'Brits don't quit,' British Prime Minister tells voters in late pitch to remain in E.U (June 21)
• The final EU referendum debate, fact checked (June 21)
• BBC's Brexit Debate: Five Things We Learned (June 21)
• EU referendum: Campaigns set for live BBC debate at Wembley (June 20)
• ‘Brexit’ likely to fail, but EU will change (June 20)
• Impact of Brexit on Scots economy debated in Scotland (June 20)
• E.U. Countries Warn Britain on ‘Brexit’: You’ll Pay if You Leave Us (June 20)
• Brexit Vote Count: What to Watch for as the Night Unfolds (June 19)
• U.K. Hedge Funds Are Loudly Divided on Brexit (June 19)
• First Brexit Poll Since Jo Cox Killing Shows "Remain" Camp Now in Lead (June 18)
• Regardless of ‘Brexit’ Vote, Experts Say E.U. Must Rethink Status Quo (June 18)
• What will happen to Britain if there's Brexit? Here are four possible outcomes (June 17)
• Jo Cox's tragic death may halt pro-Brexit momentum, analysts say (June 16)
• British Pound Sterling gains as Brexit campaigning suspended (June 16)
• U.K. Lawmaker Jo Cox Is Murdered, Silencing Brexit Debate (June 16)
• British lawmaker shot dead, EU referendum campaigns suspended (June 16)
• The economic shock of a ‘Brexit’ (June 15)
• Telegraph Brexit debate: Boris Johnson and Alex Salmond drive each other bananas (June 14)
• E.U Referendum Debate: Boris Johnson & Priti Patel vs. Alex Salmond & Liz Kendall (June 14)
• Boris Johnson to face off against Alex Salmond in Telegraph EU debate (June 13)
• Biggest Brexit fear is really end of European Union as we know it (June 13)
• Anatomy of a 'Brexit': What the aftermath would look like (June 9, 2016)
• Brexit | The Arguments For and Against
• European Council president Donald Tusk warns E.U elites' utopian illusions are tearing Europe apart (June 1, 2016)
• Both "Brexit" and "Remain" Camps Are Misleading Voters with Bogus Claims (May 27, 2016)
• 'Brexit' foes trade barbs on race as debate heats up (May 26, 2016)
• President Obama support David Cameron's effort to remains in the E.U. (April 22)
• David Cameron says the idea of the UK being a sovereign country outside the EU is an illusion (Feb 21)
• Nicola Sturgeon says vote to leave EU will 'almost certainly' trigger a new independence referendum in Scotland (Feb 21)
• Secretary of State for Justice Michael Gove wants Britain out of Europe (Feb 20)
• Sturgeon: I'd prefer Scotland to be independent member state of EU (Feb 20)
• The U.K to reconsider E.U membership (Feb 20)

 

[theBLADE1]

The UK be like....

" Fuck the EU coming straight from the underground! Great Britain got it bad cause of immigrants."

 

[ncordless]

The UK be like....

" Fuck the EU coming straight from the underground! Great Britain got it bad cause of immigrants."

Fuck the EU coming straight from London Underground. Old England got mad cause of the browns.

 

[Bald1]

So only members of the Visegrad group mentioned the number 1 reason for Brexit, and that's concern about the migrant situation. Not really surprising. The empty "we respect their decision" comments are laughable. I'm actually surprised there isn't more of an adversarial undertone to some of these statements.

Thanks for all your work keeping these Brexit threads organized and informative @Arkain2K.

 

[Bald1]

Double post

 

[Videer]

Laughed at what Frau Merkel had to say. She either hates the EU or is simply delusional.

I am more convinced than ever that Europe needs US to save them from stupid big ideas coming out from Berlin.

 

[Lonesome Crow]

 

[Renard]

Merkel literally sounds like a globalist supervillain. "This is great setback to our... wonderful European unification plans."

 

[My Spot]

I'm glad UKtista gave the thumbs down to EUvolution.

 

[BruceLeeOnTRT]

Putin had the best statement. It was just parting shots at Cameron as he's packing up all his office photos into a box.

He was never my friend.

 

[PrinceOfPain]

I'm pretty surprised by the tone of cowardice coming from inside the UK.
Yes. Sure, guys; the sky is falling, everything's coming to an end. Ahh!

Grow a pair, and stop being so frightened of independence. My god. Buncha pussies.

 

[Hard To Tell]

The reason why the likes of Merkel, Juncker, Shulz and Tusk are so worried and angry is because the UK is going to be fine without the EU and their house of lies is going to come crashing down around them.

The pound dropped but then the rallied back to past February levels. The FTSE, despite an initial fall, closed on a weekly high: 2.4% up on last Friday, its best performance in 4 months. The USA and Canada have said they see no problems ahead for UK trade and we wont be 'back of the queue' after all. JP Morgan have just denied reports it would shift 2,000 staff overseas. The CBI, vehemently anti-Brexit during the referendum campaign, has now stated British business is resilient and will adapt and several countries outside of the EU like Japan and China have already stated they wish to begin new and improved EU free bi-lateral trade talks with the UK immediately.

And this is just day one.

The EU's scare mongering, bullying and crony monopolisation is now going to be brutally exposed, leading other people in EU nations to want to follow Britains lead.

 

[The Clinch]

Redoferendum.

 

[Xuh]

Laughed at what Frau Merkel had to say. She either hates the EU or is simply delusional.

I am more convinced than ever that Europe needs US Russia to save them from stupid big ideas coming out from Berlin.

Fixed

 

[Rex Kwon Do]

Polish people must be depressed. National day of mourning.

 

[theBLADE1]

 

[Lovestorm]

Twas interesting, certainly. Going to work this morning was funny because everybody finally had the stones to admit that they voted out. Only a few of the women and an omega male with a fat wife had voted to stay in.

Should be more fun this way, and if things don't get better there is always suicide.

 

[in the]

 

[Monkadelic]

I'm sure someone will have already posted this, but it's going to be good for a laugh for a while yet.

 

[Pixelated Porn]

The UK be like....

" Fuck the EU coming straight from the underground! Great Britain got it bad cause of immigrants."

the 4th Reich is gonna be mad