Brexit would shake EU, Germany warns
Updated: 2016-06-16 11:13
(Agencies)
|
|||||||||
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier attends a press conference in Berlin, Germany, June 15, 2016. [Photo/Agencies] |
BERLIN - A British vote to leave the European Union would shake the bloc and require a concerted effort to ensure its stability, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said on Wednesday.
Speaking at a joint news conference with French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, Steinmeier said they both hoped that Britons would vote to stay in the EU in their June 23 referendum. "That would be the right decision to make," he said.
"A vote to leave would shake the union. It would not just carry on as 28 (members) minus one. It would require concerted efforts to ensure that the union holds together and that a decades-long, successful integration effort does not end in disintegration," he said.
Steinmeier said France and Germany had a special role to play since they had helped to found the European Community and had experienced the fruits of successful integration for perhaps the longest period.
"We both belong to those who say ... we cannot lapse back into a nationalism that pits one European state against another," Steinmeier said.
He said both countries would work to ensure the EU's continued survival and success even if Britons voted to leave.
Related Stories
British PM faces first live TV debate on Brexit referendum 2016-06-03 09:04
Most economists say Brexit will harm economy - poll 2016-05-29 16:27
Brexit 'last thing the economy needs': UK PM 2016-05-15 14:18
Brexit to be costly for Britain: CBI survey 2016-03-22 09:01
Bank of England warns of Brexit risks, angering eurosceptics 2016-03-09 09:18
OECD warns of negative impact of Brexit on EU, UK economies 2016-03-04 09:06
Today's Top News
Germany, France, Italy urge Britain not to waste time in divorcing EU
Britain urged not to waste time in divorcing EU
Turkey's Erdogan apologizes to Putin
UK opposition leader Corbyn says will not resign
10 hurt in rollercoaster accident in central Scotland
Vote poses China-UK trade ties challenge
China respects Brexit decision
UK vote blows the whole European plan wide open
Hot Topics
Lunar probe , China growth forecasts, Emission rules get tougher, China seen through 'colored lens', International board,
Editor's Picks
Hollywood snaps up rock star's dog film |
Chinese people welcome dispossessed |
The can-do generation to the fore |
Riding the wave |
Leisure giants buoy cruise market |
She followed her heart |