Obama: Britain, EU will remain 'indispensable partners' despite Brexit

WASHINGTON, June 24 (Yonhap) -- President Barack Obama said Friday the United States respects Britain's decision to pull out of the European Union, and that both Britain and the EU will remain "indispensable partners" of the U.S.

"The people of the United Kingdom have spoken, and we respect their decision. The special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom is enduring, and the United Kingdom's membership in NATO remains a vital cornerstone of U.S. foreign, security, and economic policy," Obama said in a statement.

The U.S. relationship with the EU has also been vital to the U.S., Obama said, adding that the EU has worked hard to "promote stability, stimulate economic growth, and foster the spread of democratic values and ideals across the continent and beyond."

"The United Kingdom and the European Union will remain indispensable partners of the United States even as they begin negotiating their ongoing relationship to ensure continued stability, security, and prosperity for Europe, Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the world," he said.

The Federal Reserve sought to calm global financial markets.

"The Federal Reserve is prepared to provide dollar liquidity through its existing swap lines with central banks, as necessary, to address pressures in global funding markets, which could have adverse implications for the U.S. economy," the Fed said in a statement.

It said it is carefully monitoring the situation in cooperation with other central banks.

Treasury Secretary Jack Lew said the U.S. will work closely with both Britain and the EU as well as other international partners to "ensure continued economic stability, security, and prosperity in Europe and beyond."

"We continue to monitor developments in financial markets. I have been in regular contact in recent weeks with my counterparts and financial market participants in the U.K., EU and globally and we are continuing to consult closely," Lew said. "The U.K. and other policymakers have the tools necessary to support financial stability, which is key to economic growth."

jschang@yna.co.kr
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