BUCHAREST, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Romania will take the necessary action, as Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU), to reduce the potential negative effects on the lives of European citizens amid the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the EU, said President Klaus Iohannis on Tuesday.
At the annual meeting with heads of foreign diplomatic missions accredited in Bucharest, Iohannis said, "Protecting the rights of European citizens in the United Kingdom is the priority we have been pursuing in negotiations with London and we will further pursue this so as to reduce as much as possible the potential negative effects on the lives of European citizens."
According to him, the deal already agreed between the UK and the rest of EU members is the best instrument for limiting the negative consequences of Brexit, for ensuring legal certainty for the business environment and for guaranteeing the rights of the citizens.
"Following the first rejection of this agreement in the British Parliament, in our capacity as the Presidency of the EU Council, we will take the necessary action - in every possible scenario - in coordination with the European institutions and the other member states," said the head of state, stressing that "we will put in efforts to facilitate the adoption of the measures proposed by the European Commission, to make sure that the Union is properly prepared for the withdrawal of the UK, in any scenario."
Romania has been holding the Presidency of the EU Council since the beginning of January for a period of six months. 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 nearly 500,000 Romanian citizens reside in the UK, making them the second most common non-UK nationality.
