Brussels, 24/06/2016 (Agence Europe) - Although the UN and US have said that they are confident about continuing strong relations with the United Kingdom, despite the British vote in favour of Brexit on Friday 24 June, Russia has said that it is hoping to improve its relations with the United Kingdom. The EU has provided assurances to its partners that it will maintain its commitment in favour of international cooperation.
UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, said that he hoped the EU "remains a strong partner" for the UN on humanitarian questions, peace and security, "including migration" and that the United Kingdom "continues to exercise a leading role in many areas" such as development aid. The Secretary General said that with regard to the transition period opening up between the EU and United Kingdom, he was counting on the "pragmatism of Europe and its sense of common responsibility".
Federica Mogherini, the EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, stated "The European Union is and will continue to be a strong actor, and a reliable partner to our friends all around the world. We will continue to act as a force for peace, a provider of security, and a staunch supporter of international cooperation and multilateralism". She added that, "Disengagement is not an option… Tough times call for even greater leadership and resolve, and for even more unity. Unity of purpose is our strength and our citizens - and the entire world - need a strong European Union like never before".
US President, Barack Obama said that the special relationship between the US and United Kingdom was a durable one and that the United Kingdom remaining a member of NATO was an essential cornerstone of US security and economic policies. He added that this also applied to the US relationship with the EU, which has done so much to promote stability, stimulate economic growth and promote the diffusion of democratic values and ideals throughout the continent and beyond. He provided assurances that the EU and United Kingdom would both remain "indispensable partners" of the US.
In Japan, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe emphasised his concerns about risks of monetary volatility following the decision of the British people to leave the EU. During a televised debate on Friday, he stated "British citizens have made a decision to leave the European Union. I'm concerned over risks on currencies and financial markets". He also said that Japan would take "every measure" to ensure stability on global financial markets.
Russia has said that it was hoping that Brexit would allow for its relations with the United Kingdom to improve, according to a statement made on Friday by the Kremlin's spokesperson, Dmitri Peskov. The latter stated "We hope that in this new situation, the need to build good relations will prevail". He added that he had still not observed any wish to promote this cooperation from the United Kingdom, which has been an ardent supporter of sanctions against Russia after its annexation of the Crimea in the eastern Ukrainian conflict. Mr Peskov said that Brexit was a domestic issue to the United Kingdom and its relations with the EU. He explained that Moscow wanted the EU to "remain a flourishing economic force that was both stable and predictable". The Russian Prime Minister, Dmitry Medvedev, highlighted the additional risks they were to the global economy, including that of Russia, following the British vote in favour of Brexit. (Original version in French by Emmanuel Hagry)