Update 3 | ‘Avoid prolonged period of uncertainty,’ EU urges UK

The remaining 27 leaders of the European Union have urged the United Kingdom to activate the infamous Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty “quickly so as to avoid entering into a prolonged period of uncertainty”.

The EU argued that no negotiations can take place before the EU is officially notified of its intention to exit the bloc.

The leaders met this morning without the United Kingdom to discuss ways to limit the fallout from Brexit.

The heads of state or government expresed their “deep regret” over the outcome of the referendum but insisted that they respect the will of the UK electorate.

“EU law continues to apply to and within the UK, both when it comes to rights and obligations,” they said.

After the pressure mounted on David Cameron, the 27 stated that it is up to the British government, “as soon as it is ready to do so”, to activate Article 50.

Once the UK makes up its mind over what it wants, negotiations will start to determine the new relationship London will have with Brussels.

“It would be preferable to do this quickly so as to avoid entering into a prolonged period of uncertainty. There can be no negotiations of any kind before this notification has taken place.”

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat yesterday insisted that any new agreement must be inferior to a EU membership.

The EU expressed hope to have the UK “as a close partner”, but any agreements will be concluded with the UK “as a third country”, based on “a balance of rights and obligations”.

Acknowledging that the UK exit creates an unprecedented situation for the bloc, the leaders commit themselves to “remain united” to deal with and find solutions for current challenges.

There has also been a realisation among several EU leaders that the Brexit result reflects the discontent among hundreds of thousands of EU citizens.

“Europeans expect us to do better when it comes to providing security, prosperity and hope for a better future. We need to deliver on this, not least in the interest of the young.”

Yesterday's Council conclusions on the UK referendum were very terse: “The UK Prime Minister informed the European Council about the outcome of the referendum in the UK.” 

Cameron even refused to tell the EU whether Britain intended on renouncing its chair of the EU Presidency in a year’s time, leaving the EU – including Malta and Estonia – hanging over who’s going to chair the Presidency. Malta takes over the Presidency in January and the UK was to follow in July.

Malta has already said it was not keen on doing a full 12 months; two more probable options are that a member state, such as Estonia, steps in to replace the UK or that Malta and Estonia split the UK’s six months between them.

The Council last night also discussed migration, jobs, growth and investment and external relations.