Statements by Jeanine HENNIS-PLASSCHAERT, Presidency of the Council of the EU and by Jean-Claude JUNCKER, EC President, on the outcome of the UK referendum, during the Extraordinary Plenary session of the EP in Brussels.

Brussels

Brexit (T)

referendum on EU membership (T)

statement

EU - United Kingdom (T)

plenary session

JUNCKER, Jean-Claude (LU)

HENNIS-PLASSCHAERT, Jeanine (ALDE, NL)

EP Extraordinary Plenary session: extracts from the statements by Jeanine HENNIS-PLASSCHAERT, Dutch Presidency of the Council and by Jean-Claude JUNCKER, EC President

SOUNDBITE (English), Jeanine HENNIS-PLASSCHAERT, EU Council Presidency , Let me be absolutely clear; no one will benefit from a prolonged period of a political limbo: the ball is in the British court and we do look forward to hearing from London soon. At the same time let us also allow the UK the time it needs to recuperate and to take the necessary decisions so we can indeed move forward, in other words cool heads must now prevail.

SOUNDBITE (English), Jeanine HENNIS-PLASSCHAERT, Never in modern history has we enjoyed so much freedom, so much wealth and so much stability in Europe. Now why the people gave their live in Ukraine, carrying a blue banner with golden stars, why do people from Africa and Asia leave their families in rickety boats to reach our shores? It is because of the fundamental values that bind us, the fundamental freedoms that inspire us and the promise that if you do your best you really can get ahead and if you cannot you won't be cast away . Now these achievements stand and we can be proud we have contributed to them, however nothing is irreversible, nothing inevitable. The shock of the referendum should be a wakeup call to us all. Whether we like it or not, these sentiments of a large part of the British voters are shared in many other EU member states. So we will have to do better, we must intensify our efforts, we do need a more efficient more effective and most of all, a more convincing European Union.

SOUNDBITE (French), Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC, The result of the UK referendum requires respect. I don't dare to say I'm a friend of democracy because I will have to proof that I am one, but we have to respect the choice of British citizens. Expression there it was, consequences there must be. So I request a clarification, not immediate, as the British system is more complicated that we suppose it is, there was a vote, and there is hesitation. Lord Hill, my friend and brother, assumed the consequences, he is a true democrat! I would like that others too are taking their responsibilities and assuming the consequences of the British referendum results.

SOUNDBITE (French), Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC, I have completely forbidden - Presidential order, and this is not my style - to Commissioners to discuss with representatives of the UK government 'in or out' ; 'leave or remain'. I've told to all General Directors that there cannot be any discussion ahead with British government representatives. No notification, no negotiation!'.

SOUNDBITE (French), Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC, It is because of the British vote that we shall put an end to all the efforts - generally recognised, not always appreciated - and put an end to a outstanding democracy in Europe? Non ! We will continue to fight against what the British and others are calling the red tape. We need less bureaucracy in Europe and we have already started cutting red tape, and we will continue doing it. As Commission we have said that Social Europe is going to find its noble and deserved place in Europe . We've launched a broad range of consultation with the social partners; do you mean that we have to stop that? No, of course we will not. Europe must become more social, and it will become more social.

SOUNDBITE (French), Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC, We have launched a project on Energy union, do you want us to stop that? Everyone is saying that we have to change, but nobody says what they want to change! Do you want us to put an end to this continental shared effort to stop our dependence on Russia's energy market; on our project to ensure security of energy? No, far from it, we will continue to try to achieve that. We want to modernise Europe. We've said that in many occasions, and for that we've launched an ambitious project on the digital future of Europe. Do you want us to change that? No! The Commission will continue on this path with the support that the EP gave us at the beginning of the mandate.

SOUNDBITE (French), Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC, To change it all? Yes, but we do not have to change the essence! The essence is that Europe is a project of peace, and a project for the future. That what I'm committed to, and I'm committed in front of you today. - I'm not tired, I'm not sick, - as the German newspapers are writing. Apparently doctors have become journalists nowadays. - I am what I am, and till my last breath I will fight for Europe, for a United Europe.