EU Referendum: World Reaction
"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."
- Joint statement by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, European Council President Donald Tusk, European Parliament President Martin Schulz, and Dutch PM Mark Rutte
"The United Kingdom and the European Union will remain indispensable partners of the United States even as they begin negotiating their ongoing relationship to ensure continued stability, security, and prosperity for Europe, Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the world."
- Barack Obama, US President
"We respect the choice the people of the United Kingdom have made … We have to make clear America's steadfast commitment to the special relationship with Britain and the transatlantic alliance with Europe.”
- Hillary Clinton
"I think it's a great thing. I think it's a fantastic thing."
- Donald Trump
"The UK will remain a strong and committed Nato ally and will continue to play its leading role in our alliance."
- Jens Stoltenberg, Nato secretary general
"The British vote poses a grave test for Europe, which must show solidity and strength in its response to the economic and financial risks.”
- Francois Hollande, French president
"It's an explosive shock. At stake is the break-up pure and simple of the union. Now is the time to invent another Europe."
-Manuel Valls, French prime minister
"Brexit will be either a wake-up call or the beginning of a dangerous path for European people. We respect the decision of British people, which confirms the deep political and identity crisis of the EU.”
- Alexis Tsipras, Prime Minister of Greece
"All countries around the world will have to brace themselves for a period of possible turbulence while being watchful about, and alert to, the referendum's medium term impacts."
- Arun Jaitley, Indian finance minister
"The period of the disintegration of the European Union has begun. And the first vessel to have departed is Britain."
-Nurettin Canikli, Turkey deputy PM
"The eurosceptic genie is out of the bottle and it will now not be put back. EU's finished, EU's dead."
-Nigel Farage, head of the anti-EU UK Independence Party
"Hurrah for the British! Now it is our turn. Time for a Dutch referendum!"
- Geert Wilders, Dutch Freedom Party leader
"Victory for Freedom! As I have been asking for years, we must now have the same referendum in France and EU countries."
- Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right FN party in France
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