BERLIN — The six founding countries of the European Union, including Germany and France, will push for negotiations with the U.K. about its exit to start as soon as possible, foreign ministers said in Berlin on Saturday.
“This process has to begin as soon as possible, so that we’re not left hanging,” German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said at a meeting with his colleagues from France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Italy and the Netherlands.
“We will begin this process immediately, this has to be clear — the British people have spoken,” said French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, adding: “And the 27 other EU members states have to be respected, as well.”
The formal mechanism for leaving the EU is Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, which can only be activated by the country itself.
“I hope this will not turn into a game of cat and mouse,” said Luxembourg’s foreign minister, Jean Asselborn.
Germany and France will push for “flexible” EU reforms that would allow member countries to opt out of steps towards deeper integration if they wish, in an attempt to avoid more countries being dissuaded by rapid integration steps, according to German media reports.
“It’s about holding Europe together, which also means to seizing this point in time as an opportunity,” said Germany’s Steinmeier following the meeting, adding that it was a moment for reflection about the EU “but also for listening to each other.”
He had warned ahead of the talks that the European Union should not react to the Brexit vote with “hysteria” nor fall into a state of shock.
On Monday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel is scheduled to meet with French President François Hollande, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and EU Council President Donald Tusk to prepare for Tuesday’s summit of EU leaders, including U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron.