EPP Group MEP´s reaction to the UK Referendum

EU member states concentrate on reforming the EU and oppose calls by populists in the Netherlands and other countries for Brexit-style referendums, says Esther de Lange, head of the Dutch delegation for the EPP Group.

My party, EPP Party, doesn´t believe it´s a wise idea to organise referenda about these kinds of issues. That´s not a secret, we´ve never been in favour of them. But in general I think what Europe doesn´t need now is more insecurity, more question marks about where are we heading. Yes Europe might need to be reformed in certain areas. But we are in favour of a strong Europe because only united we can face the challenges that are ahead of us.

György Schöpflin, Hungarian member of the EPP Group and member of the European Parliament´s Foreign Affairs Committee

Brexit could encourage Russians to meddle in Eastern Europe: EPP Group´s  Schöpflin of Hungary

A weakened Britain and EU after Brexit could lead to more Russian meddling in Eastern Europe, says György Schöpflin, Hungarian member of the EPP Group and member of the European Parliament´s Foreign Affairs Committee. He also rejects giving the UK a second chance despite the deep crisis as a result of the Brexit vote.

I wouldn´t exclude this. Give it 5, 10 percent that they´ll start probing. That´s what the Russians have been doing, it´s not frontal attacks. These are probes to find the weak spots.

I don´t think there´s been a crisis as this since 1954 in the European Union – the collapse of the European Defence Treaty. Where we go from here, well this will require a great deal of effort and energy. No nonsense about second referenda, renegotiating. Out is out, and that´s it.