(Brussels) “We can’t deny we would have wished yesterday’s Referendum to deliver a different result. I am perfectly aware of how bad and serious this political time is, and there’s no way to predict the consequences of such event, especially for the United Kingdom”. This has been said by Donald Tusk, president of the European Council, in the light of the result of the British referendum. “This is certainly not the time for hysterical reactions. I want to reassure everyone that we were ready for such a negative scenario”. “As we know, Europe is a long-term project. In the last two days, I spoke with all of the European leaders about the option of Brexit. On behalf of the 27 leaders, I can say we are determined to stay together as 27. For all of us, the European Union is the scene of our common future. In addition, I would like to reassure everyone that there will be no legal vacuum. Until the United Kingdom formally leaves the European Union”, the EU laws “will still apply to the United Kingdom, and this includes all rights and duties”. The procedures for England’s leaving the EU “are clear and laid down in the treaties. To discuss the next steps, I offered the leaders an informal talk as part of the summit of the European Council” on June 28th and 29th. “In addition, I reassured them we would start a joint reflection for the future of our Union”.