BRUSSELS, June 24 (Xinhua) -- European Council President Donald Tusk has said the European Union (EU) as a bloc is determined to stay unified after Britain voted to leave in a historic referendum on Thursday.
"Today, on behalf of the 27 leaders I can say that we are determined to keep our unity as 27," Tusk told reporters in Brussels Friday morning, admitting that the EU has expected a different outcome of the referendum.
"I am fully aware of how serious, or even dramatic, this moment is politically," he said, adding that the historic moment is not a moment for "hysterical reactions." ' "There's no way of predicting all the political consequences of this event, especially for the UK," he warned.
The president said the EU has prepared for this negative scenario, though EU leaders have been saying for weeks before the referendum that there is no "plan B" for Brexit.
"As you know the EU is not only a fair-weather project," he said.
He reassured that there would be no legal vacuum during the withdrawal process of the UK from the EU.
"Until the United Kingdom formally leaves the European Union, EU law will continue to apply to and within the UK," Tusk said, referring to both rights and obligations.
The political decisions at the EU level will be taken at an EU summit scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, where leaders from EU member states and institutions will set the direction for what has to be done.
In order to discuss the details of further proceedings, Tusk said he has offered the leaders an informal meeting of the 27 in the margins of the summit.
"And I will also propose to the leaders that we start a wider reflection on the future of our Union," he added.
