Britain to Lose Influence if it Leaves EU - Obama

Britain will lose some of its influence if it leaves the European Union, US President Barack Obama said in an interview with the BBC, adding that the United Kingdom should remain a member of the bloc.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — President Obama told the BBC on Thursday:

“Having the UK in the EU gives us much greater confidence about the strength of the transatlantic union, and is part of the cornerstone of the institutions built after [the Second World War] that has made the world safer and more prosperous. We want to make sure that the United Kingdom continues to have that influence.” 

UK Prime Minister David Cameron has promised to hold a referendum on Britain’s possible exit from the European Union before 2017.

Before the vote, Cameron intends to revise the United Kingdom’s relations with the bloc, pushing Brussels to grant greater powers to member-state governments, including more control over migration policy.

Cameron maintains that the United Kingdom should remain part of the European Union, but on renegotiated terms.