UK, EU Must Minimize Brexit Fallout, Maintain Cooperation - US Senator

United Kingdom and European leaders must take steps to minimize the potential negative economic and political consequences of the UK decision to leave the European Union and maintain cooperative relations, US Senator Jeanne Shaheen said in a statement on Friday.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — On Thursday, the United Kingdom held a referendum to determine whether the country would remain the 27-member EU bloc. According to the official results, 51.9 percent of voters decided in favor of the exiting the European Union, a move known as Brexit.

"I hope and expect that leaders in London, Brussels and beyond will take the steps necessary to minimize the economic and political fallout from this vote and to preserve the cooperation that will be required to address the range of issues confronting Europe and the United States," Shaheen stated.

Shaheen, the ranking Democrat on the US Senate European Affairs subcommittee, said she was disappointed by the result of the UK referendum, but echoed other US officials’ support for the political process.

In an editorial earlier this month, Shaheen and fellow Senator Lindsay Graham urged British voters to maintain EU membership, citing the threat of terrorism to Europe, the United Kingdom and the United States.