The President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, said on Friday that the European Union was prepared for the possible exit of UK from the 28-member union.
Tusk stated this in a statement on the outcome of the referendum in the UK obtained from the Delegation of the European Union to Nigeria and ECOWAS in Abuja.
The European Council’s president regretted the negative outcome of the referendum to the EU, saying: “It is a historic moment.”
He added: “There’s no hiding the fact that we wanted a different outcome of yesterday’s referendum.
“I am fully aware of how serious or even dramatic this moment is politically.
“And 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.”
According to Tusk, he has prepared all the EU leaders prior to the referendum on the possibility of a Britain’s exit from the union.
He said: “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.
“Today, on behalf of the 27 leaders, I can say that we are determined to keep our unity as 27.”
Tusk, however, said Britain must meet all the legal requirements expected of it before its formal exit from the union.
He said: “For all of us, the Union is the framework for our common future.
“I would also like to reassure you that there will be no legal vacuum.
“Until the United Kingdom formally leaves the European Union, EU law will continue to apply to and within the UK.
“And by this I mean rights and obligations.
“All the procedures for the withdrawal of the UK from the EU are clear and set out in the Treaties.”
Tusk said he was convening a meeting of the leaders of the EU so as to reflect widely on the future of the union.
He said: “In order to discuss the details of further proceedings, I have offered the leaders an informal meeting of the 27 in the margins of the European Council summit.
“And I will also propose to the leaders that we start a wider reflection on the future of our Union.”
In veiled reference to the pains of the Britain’s exit, Tusk said it would not be the end of the EU, but would make the union stronger.
He said: “Finally, it’s true that the past years have been the most difficult ones in the history of our Union.
“But I always remember what my father used to tell me: What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger.”
