Prime Minister Sipilä: ”We respect the outcome of the United Kingdom’s EU referendum”

On Friday 24 June, Prime Minister Juha Sipilä gave his comments on the result of the United Kingdom’s EU referendum.

”We had hoped that the outcome of yesterday’s referendum would support the United Kingdom’s continued EU membership. We, of course, respect the result of the referendum. We shall now wait and see what steps the British Government will take on the basis of the result, and when it will officially notify the European Council of its intention to withdraw from the European Union. After that, preparations can begin for the negotiations between the EU and the United Kingdom,” says Prime Minister Sipilä.

“The party leaders of the Government have convened this morning for an additional meeting due to the result of the United Kingdom’s referendum. Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs will convene for an additional meeting on Monday 27 June at 10.00. On the same day, I will attend the meeting of the Grand Committee of the Finnish Parliament. In addition, together with the Speaker of the Parliament I have agreed that the Government will give the Prime Minister's announcement to the Finnish Parliament in the near future”, says Prime Minister Sipilä.

”The European Union must quickly assess the implications of the referendum result,” says Sipilä.

For Finland, to keep on developing the European Union is as important as negotiating the new relationship between the UK and the EU. Finland is and will be a committed member of the European Union.

”To earn the trust of citizens the EU has to focus on essential questions and to be able to carry out reforms. Member States must comply with common rules. In addition, the EU must provide tools for enhancing growth, employment and competitiveness. The EU must also be a credible actor in the international arena and must further develop its common security and defence policy.”

The leaders of the EU Member States will discuss the implications of the referendum result at the next European Council meeting in Brussels on 28 and 29 June.