The United Kingdom has voted to leave the European Union. I regret this decision but respect it. Art. 50 of the EU treaty describes the procedures that now have to be followed. We expect that it is triggered quickly so that the period of uncertainty is as short as possible, that means no longer than two years. Respecting the clear decision to leave the EU also implies that there will be no special treatment for the UK, no “cherry-picking”.

I regret the decision also with regard to our colleagues from the UK in the European Committee of the Regions who have participated in our work with a sincere European commitment. Legally they will stay members of the CoR with all respective rights until the day of the withdrawal. Nevertheless I count on their political sensibility concerning the intensity of participating in the political debates and especially votes of the CoR after the UK’s formal notice of intention to withdraw. On the other hand it should now be a major concern of the CoR to find methods for the local and regional authorities in the UK to continue their cooperation with us.

It is imperative that the result of the British referendum also marks the beginning of a period of reflection, in which we have to demonstrate that the EU brings greater added-value to the everyday lives of our citizens. The EPP in the CoR is ready to actively participate in this work, given our proximity to citizens and responsibilities regarding subsidiarity. We have to find ways to translate the idea of subsidiarity to our citizens in the double sense of making them understand what “subsidiarity” means and to prove its value by visible deeds.