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UK’s EU exit not onset of union collapse: Juncker

Friday, 24 June 2016 12:18 PM [ Last Update: Friday, 24 June 2016 3:11 PM ]

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker briefs the media after Britain voted to leave the EU, in Brussels, Belgium, June 24, 2016. ©Reuters

The president of the European Commission, which is the executive branch of the European Union, has insisted that Britain's vote to withdraw from the EU is not the beginning of the end for 28-nation bloc.

"No," Jean-Claude Juncker told a press conference in the Belgian capital, Brussels, on Friday when asked if "Brexit" was the start of the end for the EU.

Meanwhile, European Parliament President Martin Schulz said that a “chain reaction” by other Eurosceptics will not happen, arguing that countries will not be encouraged to follow the “dangerous path” followed by the UK.

The remarks came after some 51.90 percent of British voters opted to leave the EU, while roughly 48.10 percent of people voted to stay in the union in a referendum held on June 23.

British Prime Minister David Cameron, who was leading the battle to keep the country in the EU, announced his decision to step down by October.

Reacting to the UK’s vote in favor of leaving the EU, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said that Moscow should analyze all consequences of the Brexit vote and take actions corresponding to the interests of its economy.

Russia's Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev ©AFP

He further expressed Russia’s concern over an increase in volatility on commodity markets caused by the UK’s EU exit.

The results of Britain’s referendum were important not only for the country itself, but also for the global economy and the EU, the Russian premier added.

Meanwhile, the head of Austria's far-right Freedom Party (FPO), called on Juncker and Schulz to quit following the Brexit vote.

Heinz-Christian Strache, the head of Austria's far-right Freedom Party (FPO) ©AP

"With a bit of decency and respect for a good future of Europe, they shall resign immediately," said FPO head Heinz-Christian Strache.

An Austrian referendum on the EU membership could become FPO’s political target if the bloc continued to be unwilling to introduce reforms and if countries such as Turkey joined the union, he further warned.

Britons in favor of remaining in the bloc argue that leaving it will risk the UK's prosperity, diminish its influence over world affairs, and result in trade barriers between the UK and the EU.

British Eurosceptics, however, believe that the country would be better off outside the politico-economic union.

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