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Tusk says EU determined to keep unity of remaining 27 member states

An informal meeting may be held to discuss the procedure of Britain's withdrawal, says EU Council chief

European Council President Donald Tusk AP Photo/Thierry Monasse

European Council President Donald Tusk

© AP Photo/Thierry Monasse

BRUSSELS, June 24. /TASS/. The European Union is determined to preserve the unity of its remaining member states following the United Kingdom’s vote to leave the bloc, European Council President Donald Tusk said on Friday.

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"There's no hiding the fact that we wanted a different outcome of yesterday's referendum. I am fully aware of how serious, or even dramatic, this moment is politically. And there's no way of predicting all the political consequences of this event, especially for the UK. But for sure this is not a moment for hysterical reactions. I want to reassure everyone that we are prepared also for this negative scenario," Tusk said in a statement.

"Today, on behalf of the twenty seven leaders I can say that we are determined to keep our unity as 27. For all of us, the union is the framework for our common future. I would also like to reassure you that there will be no legal vacuum," Tusk said.

"Until the United Kingdom formally leaves the European Union, EU law will continue to apply to and within the UK. By this, I mean rights and obligations," he added.

Tusk also said he had offered the EU leaders to hold an informal meeting on the margins of the European Council summit in order to discuss the procedure of Britain's withdrawal.

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