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EU ‘must neither be hysterical, nor fall into paralysis’ after Brexit – German FM Let’s get this over with: Founding EU members want quick divorce from UK
(about 1 hour later)
The German foreign minister has called for the EU to keep a calm head following the UK’s Brexit vote, saying the block must “neither be hysterical nor fall into paralysis,” as founding members of the EU hold crisis talks in Berlin. The six founding members of the EU say they want the UK to leave the bloc as soon as possible after Britain’s referendum vote to leave. Diplomats want negotiations to start quickly, to minimize the risk of damaging the bloc even further.
FM Frank-Walter Steinmeier said the shock vote by the British must be seen as a wake-up call. Diplomats from the six founding members of the EU - France, Netherlands, Italy, Belgium and Luxembourg, are currently holding a meeting on the issue. "Negotiations have to go quickly in the common interest," French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said. He added it was imperative to move quickly as the other 27 members needed to give the EU new purpose or there could be a growing risk of populism.
Steinmeir said it was imperative that EU politicians start to listen not only “to the expectations of European governments, but also to the expectations of the people.'' "It's in Britain's interest and in the interest of Europeans not to have a period of uncertainty that would have financial consequences, and that could have economic and political consequences," he added.
However, he also appealed for calm and for no rash decisions to be taken after 52 percent of the British public voted in favor of leaving the bloc. “It's totally clear that in times like these one should neither be hysterical nor fall into paralysis,” he said. A joint statement from the founding nations -France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Belgium and Luxembourg - said they want a fast decision from the UK. 
Immediately after Friday’s vote, the German Foreign Ministry quoted Steinmeier on its official Twitter as saying: "The news from Britain is really sobering. It looks like a sad day for Europe and Britain." "We now expect the UK government to provide clarity and give effect to this decision as soon as possible," a statement from the foreign ministers read. 
However in contrast to Germany’s caution, France has been keen to seal the British exit from the bloc as soon as possible. German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier had initially struck a cautious tone. He said the vote by the British must be seen as a wakeup call and that the bloc must “neither be hysterical nor fall into paralysis.” 
"Negotiations have to go quickly in the common interest," French foreign minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said. He added that it was imperative to move quickly as the other 27 members needed to give the EU new purpose or there could be a growing risk of populism.  Steinmeir added it was imperative EU politicians start to listen not only “to the expectations of European governments, but also to the expectations of the people.”
Chief executive of the Leave campaign Matthew Elliott says they are in no rush to start negotiations to leave the EU. He believes it would be better to start informal talks regarding a full settlement, which would include all aspects of Britain’s relationship with the EU. Britain has already stated it’s in no rush to start exit proceedings. Prime Minister David Cameron says he will step down by October, having failed to convince the public to stay in the EU. He also said his successor would make a decision regarding when to leave the bloc. 
"We don't think there is a need to swiftly invoke Article 50," he told Reuters. "Its best for the dust to settle over the summer and during that time for there to be informal negotiations with other states," he added. Chief executive of the Leave campaign Matthew Elliott echoed Cameron’s words, saying they are in no hurry to start negotiations to leave the EU. He believes it would be better to start informal talks regarding a full settlement, which would include all aspects of Britain’s relationship with the EU.
There has been anger among large sections of the British public about having to leave the EU, with the younger generation who overwhelmingly voted to remain particularly making themselves heard. "We don't think there is a need to swiftly invoke Article 50," he told Reuters on Saturday. "It’s best for the dust to settle over the summer and during that time for there to be informal negotiations with other states," he added. 
A protest is set to take place in London on Saturday with demonstrators marching to the Houses of Parliament. The organizers hope the rally will show people’s extreme disappointment about the referendum that has “split [Britain] into two.” There has been anger among large sections of the British public about having to leave the EU, with the younger generation, who overwhelmingly voted to remain, particularly making themselves heard.
By Saturday morning, nearly 800,000 Brits had signed an online parliamentary petition calling for a second referendum. It easily reached the 100,000-signatures benchmark that means the issue must be debated in parliament within a year. A protest is set to take place in London on Saturday with demonstrators marching to the Houses of Parliament. The organizers hope the rally will show people’s extreme disappointment about the referendum that has “split [Britain] into two.” 
By Saturday morning, over one million Brits had signed an online parliamentary petition calling for a second referendum. It easily reached the 100,000-signatures benchmark that means the issue must be debated in parliament within a year.