BUCHAREST, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- The British government must clarify its position after the Brexit plan's defeat in Parliament so that the other 27 EU states know what will happen next in the UK, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said in a statement on Wednesday.
The head of state said the Brexit agreement is a good one and "guarantees an orderly withdrawal of the UK and allows for building a future relationship in good conditions." He called the British Parliament's decision regrettable.
"The EU has approved this agreement. The UK has to present its position," he said, referring to the uncertainty over Brexit after the vote in the British Parliament, adding that "we are ready to play our part in the Presidency of the EU Council ... The EU27 are prepared for other variants too."
"Many people are wondering whether it is possible to renegotiate this agreement or whether there are different positions in the EU27. Here I can tell you very clearly: the EU27, we who remain in the union, are united. There are no divergent approaches. On the other hand, this agreement, negotiated for a long time and approved by the EU27, will not be renegotiated," the president stressed.
"The procedures that may eventually lead to the approval of the agreement have not been exhausted, and this would be the best solution," Iohannis explained.
According to him, there is no reason to panic and it is not necessary to comment on various possible scenarios.
Referring to the Romanian citizens residing in Britain, he said that they have no reason to worry and that their "rights are guaranteed there, but we are also prepared for negotiations that will lead to other scenarios."
The British Parliament on Tuesday rejected the Brexit deal in a 432-202 vote, further complicating the country's historic exit from the European Union.
Romania holds the Presidency of the EU Council during the first semester of the current year and will preside over the Brexit process. Britain's departure from the EU, slated for March 29, will be the most complicated challenge during its mandate.
The Brexit process is also a sensitive issue for Romania, as almost 500,000 Romanian citizens reside in the UK, making them the second most common non-UK nationality.
