Outcome of the UK referendum on EU membership: extracts from the press point by Martin SCHULZ, EP President, following the extraordinary Conference of Presidents

Brussels

Brexit (T)

referendum on EU membership (T)

EU - United Kingdom (T)

press point

SCHULZ, Martin (S&D, DE)

Arrival of  Martin SCHULZ, EP President at the press conference

SOUNDBITE (English), Martin SCHULZ, EP President, Morning Ladies and Gentlemen, the Conference of Presidents, that's the Conference of the Chairmen and Chairwomen of the parliamentarian groups in the European Parliament, which started a meeting at 8 o'clock in the morning, we just finished the meeting, the parliament has decided to meet on Tuesday morning 10 o'clock for a part-session here in the EP to adopt a resolution assessing the outcome of the referendum of today and describing the necessary next steps of the European institutions, especially of the EP itself. In the whole process after the referendum the EP is on the basis of article 50 of the Treaty fully involved in the next steps. Therefore I underline that the EP will also play an active role in that process.

SOUNDBITE(English), Martin SCHULZ, EP President, The group leaders agreed that in preparing the meeting thatwillhappen in some minutes in theBerlaymontbetween the President of the Commission, the President of Council Donald TUSK and the President of the Union-in-office, Mark RUTTE. And in preparing that meeting the line of theEPis very clear: we are very sad about the decision of the voters in the UK, but it is a sovereign expression of the will of the British voters to leave the EU. This is a difficult moment for both sides for the EU as for the UK. We have now from a legal and a procedural point of view to assess what are the necessary next steps.

SOUNDBITE(English), Martin SCHULZ, EP President, We took note about the announcement of Prime Minister CAMERON just some minutes ago to step down, but only in October. And that will create debate for sure in the next meeting about the content of the declaration of the British Prime Minister in the next Council on Tuesday next week, and I will therefore carefully assess with my colleagues the Presidents of the other institutions what does it mean for triggering article 50.

SOUNDBITE(English), Martin SCHULZ, EP President, We in the EP are prepared to contribute with all our means to a constructive process, and the group leaders with a overwhelming majority representing an overwhelming majority the members of the EP underlined, that stability is needed on both sides. Stability means also stability within the EU and amongst the 27 Member States. I want to repeat what was described in the settlement, which is now null and void, after the decision of the British voters; both sides should respect mutually their different views. Now the UK decide to leave and therefore the Member States who remain in the EU must discuss how to improve the EU and how to protect, especially the eurozone countries, how to protect the eurozone in the next coming month, to protect against what is happening already now with the pound, what is already happening with the international markets.

SOUNDBITE(English), Martin SCHULZ, EP President, In that time we are entering in turbulent times we need stability and that's what I hope will be the outcome of the next meetings of the Council, of the EP, of the Commission, and of the meeting just ahead. And I think after the meeting of the four Presidents we ill report to you in a more intensive way what are the next necessary and foreseeable steps. Thank you very much