PALO, ALTO, United States (AFP) — US President Barack Obama said Friday he was confident that Britain would make an “orderly transition” out of the European Union, and insisted the special relationship between Washington and London would not change.
“Yesterday’s vote speaks to the ongoing changes and challenges that are raised by globalization,” Obama told an audience at Stanford University, one day after British voters opted to leave the bloc in a historic referendum.
After speaking to British Prime Minister David Cameron, Obama said he was “confident that the UK is committed to an orderly transition out of the EU.”
He called Cameron, who has said he will resign in the wake of the vote, “an outstanding friend and partner on the global stage.”
“We agreed that our economic and financial teams will remain in close contact as we stay focused on ensuring economic growth and financial stability,” the US president said.
Obama said he also called German Chancellor Angela Merkel and emphasized that the US and its EU partners would “work closely together” in the coming months as the transition falls into place.
“But while the UK’s relationship with the EU will change, one thing that will not change is the special relationship that exists between our two nations. That will endure,” Obama said.
“The EU will remain one of our indispensable partners. Our NATO alliance will remain a cornerstone of global security,” he said.
“And our shared values, including our commitment to democracy and pluralism and opportunity for all people in a globalized world — that will continue to unite all of us.”
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