Donald Tusk says EU to assess its future without United Kingdom
President of the European Council is determined to stay united after Brexit vote
- 27 remaining members to meet next week to discuss referendum results
President of the European Council Donald Tusk has said that its 27 member states will meet next week to discuss the future of the institution after Britain voted to leave the bloc on Thursday.
Tusk said he had spoken to EU leaders in the past few days and the union had been prepared for the result and was determined to keep its unity.
“There is no hiding the fact that we wanted a different outcome of yesterday’s referendum,” he said to reporters in Brussels on Friday.
"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." Donald Tusk
“There is no way of predicting all the political consequences of this event – especially for the UK. It is a historic moment, but not a moment for hysterical reactions.”
Tusk said that informal discussions between the other members would take place next week in order to organise what course of action they will take before official negotiations begin after Britain has officially declared its intention to leave.
Tusk was defiant however, as he said - "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger."
Priority will be given in the coming weeks to trying to stop the spread of anti-European feeling throughout the rest of the bloc after the UK's dramatic vote.