Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil has offered his cooperation to the government at a difficult moment after the Brexit vote, saying that the national interest must be safeguarded.

The Brexit referendum gave a “disappointing result which causes uncertainty because this is the first time that a country is leaving the EU”, Dr Busuttil said in a press conference in Parliament earlier this afternoon. “My reaction is clear and the PN puts national interest at the forefront.”

Dr Busuttil said, much like the Prime Minister, that the way Malta tackles the entire issue depends on whatever agreement the EU and the UK reach and it is our responsibility to make sure that it is as beneficial to Malta as possible. The Opposition Leader mentioned Norway and Turkey as two countries who aren’t in the EU, yet have functioning agreements with the Union.

“We need to be well-prepared and the government needs a clear roadmap” Dr Busuttil said while speaking about potential economic affects which this referendum result could have on the EU. “We need to be ready for it like we were in 2008.”

One of the main reasons which Dr Busuttil gave for Britain choosing to leave the EU and for other countries like France and Holland who are now starting to consider the option is that the Union has always been distant from the citizens of Europe. “The EU needs to be closer to the citizens, but it also has to learn to step back in issues which countries can handle for themselves.”

The Malta Independent asked the Opposition Leader how he suggests the EU tackles the potential hemorrhage of countries in the future to which he replied that this is a very hypothetical situation which need not be taken for granted.

Once again echoing the Prime Minister’s speech earlier, Dr Busuttil said that “this is a time for reflection and not panic” and he is confident that the shock which all of Europe, but moreso the UK is currently undergoing will serve as a deterrent from rash decisions.

In comments to other media along the same vein, the Opposition Leader spoke about our main interest being a united Europe in which countries need to know what they want and then carefully consider the consequences.