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The European Union will feel the consequences of Brexit in the short term but will find a common model of coexistence, Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite says, cites LETA/BNS.

At the same time, Vejonis underscored that the UK will remain an important ally and an international partner for Latvia and the EU also in the future.

"It is clear that the UK’s decision will influence and change the EU. The bloc’s member states should do everything possible to retain the achievements of the integration process, at the same time, promoting economic growth, global competitiveness and public support," said Vejonis.

The president said that in the nearest time negotiations on the exit terms and further relations. The Latvian government has to do everything necessary to defend its national interests and interests of its nationals in the UK.

"We should achieve a solution acceptable for all involved parties. This is an unprecedented occasion in the EU's history, therefore, it is difficult to predict the length and outcome of this process," said Vejonis.

"We respect the decision of the people of the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom is and will remain an important security and economic partner of Lithuania. In the short term, the European Union will feel the consequences of this decision but we will find a common model of EU-UK coexistence," the president of Lithuania said in a recorded statement issued by her press service.

"The European Union has survived serious challenges many times. Our responsibility is to restore people's confidence in the European Union and preserve what we have created through our common hard work," she said.