EU members won't let anyone take Europe from them: German FM

Germany says members of the European Union (EU) will certainly not allow “anyone to take Europe” from them, in the wake of Britain’s vote on leaving the union.

Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said, “I think it is absolutely clear that we are in a situation in which neither hysteria nor paralysis are permissible.”

He made the remarks in Berlin on Saturday before heading into a meeting with his counterparts from the six founding members of the EU to discuss the future of the union.

“We must not rush headlong into hectic action, pretending we had all the answers. But we must also not fall into depression or inaction after the British decision,” the German foreign minister stated.

He also described the EU as “a successful project of peace and stability,” which has an internal “strong desire” to defend and strengthen itself.

Steinmeier said the EU, now with 27 members, would withstand the shock waves of the British vote, known as the Brexit.

The top German diplomat also urged London to start the separation process “as soon as possible to avoid a prolonged deadlock,” arguing that the delay could drive Europe to financial and political insecurity.

Steinmeier’s comments came a day after the results of the referendum in the UK showed that a majority of Britons voted to leave the EU after 43 years of membership.

In the June 23 referendum, 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. More than 17.4 million Britons said the country should leave the bloc, as just over 16.14 million others favored remaining in the EU.

After the release of the final results, UK Prime Minister David Cameron announced his resignation and said he would leave office in fall.

The German minister hosted a group of his counterparts, Italy’s Paolo Gentiloni, Belgium's Didier Reynders, France's Jean-Marc Ayrault, the Netherlands' Bert Koenders, and Luxembourg's Jean Asselborn, at Villa Borsig, the guesthouse of the German Foreign Ministry in the suburbs of Berlin, to further discuss joint action on the refugee influx, the unemployment crisis and security after Brexit.

On Friday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel referred to the UK vote as a “blow” to Europe, saying her country would host the leaders of France and Italy along with EU President Donald Tusk in Berlin on Monday in an attempt to chart a reform plan.

“We take note of the British people's decision with regret. There is no doubt that this is a blow to Europe and to the European unification process,” Merkel said in a Berlin press briefing.

Other senior European leaders have already expressed dismay at Britain’s ‘Yes’ vote to EU exit amid warnings of repercussions and fears of further calls for similar referendums.

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