German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande have said they are in “full agreement” on how to handle the fallout from the UK’s decision to leave the European Union.
Mr Hollande warned that “separated, we run the risk of divisions, dissension and quarrels”.
The two will hold talks later in Berlin amid a flurry of diplomatic activity in the wake of so-called “Brexit”.
The pound fell further in early trading in Asia on Monday as markets reacted.
UK Chancellor George Osborne will issue a statement before the start of trading in the UK in a bid to calm markets.
Speaking on Sunday, Mr Hollande said there was no going back on the UK’s decision, adding: “What was once unthinkable has become irreversible.”
Chancellor Merkel is to host President Hollande, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and European Council President Donald Tusk later on Monday.
US Secretary of State John Kerry is also due in London and Brussels for talks.
Speaking in Rome on Sunday, Mr Kerry expressed regret at the UK’s decision but said the US would maintain close ties with the EU.
“Brexit and the changes that are now being thought through have to be thought through in the context of the interests and values that bind us together with the EU,” he said.
US President Barack Obama has already said that the special relationship between the US and the UK would endure despite Britain’s decision.
Over the weekend, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said the process for Britain’s withdrawal from the bloc should begin “immediately”.
Several EU foreign ministers also urged Britain to start the process soon.
However, Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond indicated the UK would resist pressure for a swift start to negotiations, insisting that “nothing is going to happen at the moment”.
That position was supported by Chancellor Merkel’s chief of staff, who said Britain’s politicians should take time to review the consequences of leaving the EU.
“Politicians in London should take the time to reconsider the consequences of the Brexit decision – but by that I emphatically do not mean Brexit itself,” Peter Altmaier said.
David Cameron has said he will step down by October, allowing his successor to conduct the talks and, presumably, trigger Article 50 of the Treaty of Lisbon, which sets a two-year deadline for an exit deal.
Last Thursday’s referendum result has shaken the European Union but also exposed deep divisions within the UK itself.
Britain as a whole voted by 52% to 48% to leave but in Scotland the picture was different, with 62% backing remain.
Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has told the BBC that the Scottish parliament could try to block the UK’s exit from the EU.
She said that she and her colleagues would begin talks with Brussels officials about Scotland possibly remaining in the EU.
On Friday, Ms Sturgeon confirmed that a second Scottish independence referendum was back on the table.(BBC News)
Link: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36637232
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