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Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos regrets the outcome of the UK's referendum on EU membership
Romania's Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos said Friday that he regrets the outcome of the UK's referendum on EU membership.
"Regretfully, I have learned about the outcome of the referendum in the UK. That is an option of the British people we respect. I want to tell you that the message I have taken from the conversation with Mr President, with the governor of the National Bank of Romania and political leaders is that Romania wants to continue on its European path and be a proactive player in the development of the EU that will certainly follow this decision of the UK," Ciolos said at the Government House on Friday.
He added that a first analysis shows there will be no immediate significant impact on Romania's economy, and the same is valid for Romanian nationals living and working in the UK.
"Our first analysis indicates that there will be no significant immediate economic impact on Romania following this decision. We will continue to pay attention to the developments, we will continue to look at analyses; there will certainly be an impact on and some developments in Romania's economy as well, the same as there will be at a European and international levels. But, the main message is that economically speaking, given the current circumstances, (...) we do not expect any short-term significant impact. Another message I want to convey, especially to the Romanian nationals living and working in the UK: there will be no immediate impact on the rights and obligations they have there as Romanian nationals and as European citizens," said Ciolos.
He explained that it will take at least two years for the outcome of the UK referendum to be implemented, during which negations will be conducted to which Romania will be an active party.
"According to a first analysis that European institutions have also made, it will take at least two years for the framework and the conditions of the UK's leaving the EU to be negotiated over, as the UK officials will have to make the referendum outcome formal in a formal request to the European institutions. The next stages entail a formal request (...) after which exit negotiations will start between European institutions and the UK, with Romania taking part actively in the negotiations to make sure the exit will take place under circumstances that meet our expectations as well. This will be a process that will take time to complete and which will allow us to voice our opinions," added Ciolos.