The British High Commissioner to Ghana, Jon Benjamin, has said despite voting to exit the European Union, countries within the union will continue to be their allies.
“After a form of departure from the European Union, the European countries will still be our friends, neighbours and allies and we will negotiate a new arrangement with them,” he added.
Jon Benjamin said this in an interview with Citi News on the historic referendum held on Thursday in the United Kingdom, which saw over 52% of British people voting to leave the European Union.
[contextly_sidebar id=”uB7dAkKdlCKmxP8RWz7UIk2NYyk6N5AG”]The High Commissioner explained that, though the Brits have made their decision known, the country is yet to trigger the necessary procedures to officially exit the union, stating that it is likely to take close to two years.
The UK Prime Minister has said he will resign in September, following the outcome of the voting, saying he would attempt to “steady the ship” over the coming weeks and months.
“The new Prime Minister will then be in charge of the negotiating process with the European Union about the terms of the UK’s departure and what the relationship looks like afterwards,” Jon Benjamin added.
Brexit decision regrettable – EU
Meanwhile the EU in a statement expressed shock at the UK’s decision.
“In a free and democratic process, the British people have expressed their wish to leave the European Union. We regret this decision but respect it,” the statement added.
The leadership of the Union however in the statement urged the UK to trigger the necessary procedures in negotiating their exit.
“We now expect the United Kingdom government to give effect to this decision of the British people as soon as possible, however painful that process may be. Any delay would unnecessarily prolong uncertainty. We have rules to deal with this in an orderly way….We stand ready to launch negotiations swiftly with the United Kingdom regarding the terms and conditions of its withdrawal from the European Union. Until this process of negotiations is over, the United Kingdom remains a member of the European Union, with all the rights and obligations that derive from this. According to the Treaties which the United Kingdom has ratified, EU law continues to apply to the full to and in the United Kingdom until it is no longer a Member,” the statement added.
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By: Godwin A. Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin