US would 'hate' Britain to leave EU, Kerry says
-
US Secretary of State John Kerry and European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini talk to reporters in the Treaty Room at the State Department May 4, 2016 in Washington, DC. (AFP photo)
US Secretary of State John Kerry has said Britain’s membership of the European Union magnifies its role on the global stage, adding that the United States would “hate” for the UK to leave the bloc.
According to Press TV, Kerry told reporters in London on Tuesday “A strong and united Europe that includes Great Britain is a stronger Europe and a stronger partner.”
Kerry defended the right of the United States to intervene in Britain’s domestic debate about whether to stay in the 28-member bloc.
“This is a special relationship. We have fought together in so many wars. We have similar values. Similar systems. We have been partners in so many different efforts that clearly we have an opinion,” the top diplomat said.
Kerry is in London for an anti-corruption summit to be held on Thursday. The visit comes just a few weeks after President Barack Obama visited the capital to urge Britons to stay in the EU.
“It is up to the people here to vote. And we respect whatever that vote is going to be,” Kerry said.
“However we believe a strong united Europe, with a Britain whose voice and power is magnified by its presence within the EU, we think that’s important. We would hate to lose that added strength we think Great Britain gets by being a member,” he added.
Britons vote in a referendum on EU membership on June 23. With the country evenly divided over the issue, politicians from around the world have started expressing their views.
ME
