Italian PM stresses Italy's commitment to EU after Britons vote for Brexit

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi stressed the country's unchanged commitment to the path of European integration on Friday, after the results of the referendum that marked Britain's decision to leave the European Union (EU).

Yet, the Italian prime minister also appealed for the reform of the EU in order to make it closer to the needs of European citizens.

"We have to change it (the EU), and make it more human and more just. Yet, Europe is our home and our future," Renzi wrote on his social media account.

The Italian cabinet called an urgent meeting on Friday morning, with ministers of economy, foreign affairs,and economic development, and the governor of Italy's Central Bank, assessing possible immediate influence of the British decision on Italy.

The Italian prime minister also delivered a reassuring message at a news briefing conference.

"The (Italian) government and the EU institutions have all the necessary tools to ensure the stability of the financial system and of savers," Renzi said.

Reactions to the British unprecedented decision to leave the bloc should be based on "calm, and clarity of mind," the prime minister also said.

"If I have to pick a name for Europe, that name is "home". And home is not only a physical space, but a place built up on sentiments and emotions where to feel solid and safe," Renzi added.

"We believe this home needs restoration, indeed, but it will remain home for us, and for our children and grandchildren."

Renzi explained that foreign ministers from major EU countries will gather to start discussing how to respond to the unprecedented situation on Saturday, and he would then meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande in Berlin on Monday.

Italian officials also joined EU leaders in urging Britain to leave as soon as possible to avoid prolonged uncertainty.

"We respect the (Brexit) decision, although Italy would have much preferred an opposite outcome to the referendum,"Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni said in an official statement.

"We now expect the UK to act on its decision, by enacting the Art. 50 of the EU Treaty, and obviously respecting the acquired rights of European and Italian citizens," he added.

The Art. 50 of the Lisbon Treaty rules over the mechanism of leaving the block: it allows a member state to formally notify the EU of its decision to withdraw from the Union, and obliges EU institutions to try to negotiate an agreement with that country.

Britain would remain a close friend of Italy, and an ally within the NATO alliance, yet it should deliver a swift answer to the various calls coming from the European partners, according to the Italian foreign minister.

"A prolonged uncertainty would only feed instability in the process of European integration. There is a duty of clarity to fulfil towards the markets, but first and above all towards the European citizens," Gentiloni said.

Leader of Eurosceptic Northern League party Matteo Salvini hailed the results of the British referendum, saying his party would soon start gathering signatures among Italian citizens in order to call a similar initiative in the country. Endit