There's no way of predicting all the political consequences of this event, especially for the UK. It is a historic moment but for sure not a moment for hysterical reactions.

“I want to reassure everyone that we are prepared also for this negative scenario. As you know, the EU is not only a fair-weather project”.

Over the past two days I have spoken to all the EU leaders, I mean Prime Ministers and Presidents as well as heads of the EU institutions, about the possibility of a Brexit. On behalf of the twenty seven leaders I can say that we are determined to keep our unity as twenty seven. For all of us, the Union is the framework for our common future.

The EC President also reassured that there will be no legal vacuum. Until the UK formally leaves the EU, the Union law will continue to apply to and within the UK. He meant rights and obligations.

All the procedures for the withdrawal of the UK from the EU are clear and set out in the Treaties. In order to discuss the details of further proceedings, Mr Donald Tusk has offered the leaders an informal meeting of the twenty seven in the margins of the European Council summit, and they should start a wider reflection on the future of the Union.

He also stressed that it's true that the past years have been the most difficult ones in the history of the Union./.

( VNF )