Statement by the European Committee of the Regions' President Markku Markkula on the UK referendum on membership of the European Union

Met dank overgenomen van Comité van de Regio's (CvdR) i, gepubliceerd op vrijdag 24 juni 2016.

​The people of the United Kingdom have decided to shape their future outside the European Union. The European Committee of the Regions, the EU's political assembly of local and regional representatives, regrets but respects this decision. This comes at a time when not only in Europe but across the globe, we must focus all our resources in tackling existing burning societal, economic and environmental challenges.

The departure of one of the EU's member states should be done according to the EU Treaties. During and long-after the transition period, we will continue to work with our friends and colleagues from local and regional authorities across the United Kingdom.

I welcome the statement by the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk i. Speaking on behalf of the twenty seven EU Heads of States and Governments, he reassured that we are " all determined to keep our unity as twenty seven ". The European Committee of the Regions continues to assiduously mobilise the cities and regions to contribute in the fields of investment, opportunities, better governance and social cohesion. Citizens want and need to see the Union delivering results to the challenges of this century and doing so effectively. With this in mind, we are determined to contribute to any reflection on the future of the European Union.

Andrew Gardner

Tel: +32 2 282 2429

Mobile: +32 473 843 981

andrew.gardner@cor.europa.eu