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Belgian PM says not ready to pay bill for Brexit

Xinhua, June 28, 2016 Adjust font size:

Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel on Tuesday called Brexit "the victory of a certain form of populism," but said he was "not ready to foot the bill."

Michel made the remarks while commenting on Britons' decision to leave the European Union (EU) in Thursday's referendum in a radio interview carried by the Belgian broadcaster RTBF.

He also pleaded to clarify the timing of the Britain's withdrawal from the European Union in order to "ensure clarity in the interests of all."

"We will discuss these topics this afternoon and listen to the arguments of David Cameron," said the prime minster.

A two-day European Union summit of leaders of all member states will kick off Tuesday afternoon in Brussels. Brexit is high among the summit agenda.

"I wish, obviously, that Britain is doing well economically after the Brexit, we need to keep it a stable partner," but "I am not ready to pay the bill, to undergo a hostage," Michel said.

The prime minister also promised that he would make "every effort to protect and defend economic and social interests" of Belgium. Endit