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Germany warns against Brexit

Xinhua, June 16, 2016 Adjust font size:

The European Union (EU) would be shocked and could face risks of disintegration if Britain leaves the bloc, warned German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Wednesday.

Steinmeier urged the British people to make the right decision in a referendum next week about whether to remain in or leave the 28-member EU.

"Europe would lose a lot if Great Britain decides to leave," he said in a joint press conference with his French counterpart Jean-Marc Ayrault in Brandenburg, Germany.

"It would be a shock for the EU," he added, "people must then mutually assure that the EU continues to stick together and that a very successful decade-long integration process doesn't end with disintegration."

The minister said he and Ayrault both hoped the British people would make "the right decision," which would be deciding to stay in the EU in the referendum vote on June 23.

"From our point of view, the only right decision is to stay in Europe," he said. Endit