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Moscow to draw conclusions when British referendum results take legal shape — diplomat

Moscow is interested in continuing cooperation with both Brussels and London

MOSCOW, June 28. /TASS/. Russia will make its conclusions after results Great Britain’s referendum on its membership in the European Union take legal shape, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Tuesday.

"As far as we understand, as of today this decision has not yet been legally formalized by the British government," she said. "We should wait when the expression of the nation’s will takes legal shape in Great Britain’s official decision. We will see how it is formalized, what the British government says about it and which plans it announces."

"After that, we will make a conclusion about Great Britain’s and the European Union’s future. And only after that we will be able to announce Russia’s reaction to the corresponding formalized and legally worded decisions of that state," she underscored.

Moscow "is interested in continuing cooperation with both Brussels and London," she reassured. "Cooperation is a priority for us."

"Formal relations between Great Britain and the European Union are a matter of that state and the association of states," she added.

As many as 51.9% of UK citizens (17.41 million people) voted on Thursday for leaving the European Union, while 48.1% (16.14 million) were in favor of remaining part of the bloc. The referendum is of non-binding character, which means that its results can be either endorsed or turned down by parliament. Moreover, another referendum may be organized. British Prime Minister David Cameron however promised to respect the will of the British people who voted for quitting the European Union.