Brussels: The European Parliament on Tuesday urged Britain to trigger the divorce process from the European Union as soon as possible after the shock referendum vote by British voters to leave the bloc. In an emergency session of the EU on Tuesday the Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker demanded that Britain clarify its future. “I want the UK to clarify its position. Not today, not tomorrow at 9 am, but soon,” he told MEPs in Brussels.
The “will expressed by the people needs to be entirely and fully respected, starting with an activation of Article 50 as soon as possible,” said a resolution approved by MEPs at an emergency session, by 395 in favour to 200 against, with 71 abstentions. The angry members of the European Parliament pressed Britain to end the uncertainty that has gripped the world markets after last week’s Brexit vote. They said if it intends to leave the bloc it should start the process immediately
Meanwhile, British Prime Minister David Cameron on Tuesday said he wants the “closest possible” relations with the EU after Britain voted to leave the bloc, adding the split should be “as constructive as possible”. As he arrived at a Brussels summit, Cameron, who is to step down within weeks, told reporters that, while Britain was leaving the EU, “we mustn't be turning our backs on Europe.”
