Lavrov urges not to jump to conclusions on whether Brexit makes Europe stronger or weaker

TASHKENT, June 24. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has declined to discuss whether the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union could weaken Europe. He also noted that the UK referendum and other possible referendums in other countries are the EU’s internal affair.

"I do not know what a ‘weak’ Europe or a ‘strong’ Europe is, whether the decision made by the British people is a decision that will make Europe weaker or stronger. Let’s wait and see," the minister told reports when asked about the possible consequences of Brexit and who could benefit from a weaker Europe.

Regarding the possibility of holding referendums similar to Brexit in other European Union member-countries, Lavrov noted that this is internal affairs of these countries and the EU.

"We do not expect anything at all. We are not a member of this organization (the European Union)," Lavrov said when asked whether Moscow expects the UK to be followed by other EU member-countries.

"The fact that in the wake of the UK referendum the political forces in different EU counties say they too want to organize such a referendum is a purely internal affair of the respective countries and the European Union," Russia’s top diplomat said.