"The EU is strong enough to withstand the United Kingdom leaving," said Angela Merkel.

Speaking in the German Bundestag, Chancellor Angela Merkel once again expressed her regret at the United Kingdom’s plans to leave the EU, while also making a passionate plea not to forget "our historical responsibility for Europe".

In her government statement on Brexit, the Chancellor declared her confidence that the EU would be able to cope with this "blow to Europe and to the process of European integration". But she also stressed, "We do not need more or less Europe. What we need now is a successful Europe."

The Chancellor called on the 27 remaining member states to demonstrate their unity. Every suggestion on ways of leading the EU of 27 as a whole out of this crisis is welcome she said. But any proposal that would strengthen the centrifugal forces that have already put so much stress on Europe "would have unforeseeable consequences for us all, and would once again split Europe". Angela Merkel stressed, "I will work with all my strength, as will the entire German government, to change this". And she added, that she can see very good chances of success.

Road map following the UK referendum

At the start of her government statement on Tuesday in the German Bundestag, Angela Merkel explained that Europe has already weathered many crises and risen to many challenges. But, it has not faced a comparable situation since the Treaty of Rome was signed almost 60 years ago. That, she said, makes it all the more important to discuss what comes next, referring to the meeting of the European Council on Tuesday and Wednesday. Now she said, five days after the referendum, it is clearer what is to be done:

Firstly: It is now important that the remaining 27 member states demonstrate that they are "willing and able" to analyse the situation in a calm and reasoned way, and on this basis to make the right decisions together.

The United Kingdom must make the first move

Secondly: The onus is on the United Kingdom to state how it sees its future relations with the EU. Angela Merkel pointed out that Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty lays out the procedure. Under this Article, the state wishing to leave the European Union must first officially notify the European Council of its intention. Then the other states will lay down the guidelines for negotiations. "Then and only then can negotiations begin, and not earlier – neither formal nor informal negotiations," stressed Angela Merkel. Until the negotiations are complete, the United Kingdom remains a member of the European Union. And for that period all the rights and entitlements will continue to apply – to both sides.

Every member state of the EU can decide to leave the Union voluntarily. Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union (the Lisbon Treaty) lays out the procedure. In line with the provisions of this Article, the United Kingdom will firstly notify the European Council of its intention to leave. Then the EU will negotiate an agreement with the UK regulating the details and the future relations between the EU and the United Kingdom. When this agreement comes into effect, but within a maximum period of two years (which can be extended), the provisions of the European treaties will cease to apply to the United Kingdom.

Thirdly: Future relations between Germany, the EU and the United Kingdom must continue on a close and friendly basis. Exit negotiations must not call into question the achievements of the EU. Germany will have a special view to the interests of German citizens and German companies. It is particularly important to ensure security for Germans living in the United Kingdom.

There will be no cherry picking in these negotiations

Fourthly: "We will ensure that there is no cherry picking in these negotiations," declared Angela Merkel. There must be a tangible difference to a country that wishes to be a member of the EU and one that does not. Anyone leaving the family cannot expect to be rid of all the commitments and duties while retaining the privileges. "Whoever, for instance, wants access to the Single Market, will have to accept the fundamental European liberties and the other rules, regulations and commitments that go hand in hand with it," said Angela Merkel. This applies to the United Kingdom as it does to every other country.

People should be able to identify with Europe

Fifthly: The question at the moment is not more or less Europe; what we need is a "successful Europe" said Angela Merkel. "A successful Europe is a Europe in which the people can participate, a Europe with which they can identify, and a Europe that makes their lives tangibly better." That is what is called for now, said the Chancellor. This is a task for the institutions of the EU and for the member states. "A successful Europe is a Europe that respects its treaties and keeps its promises. It is true that we have not always achieved this in the past."

The Lisbon Treaty promised the people of Europe economic growth, prosperity and jobs. It is important now to try again to make Europe more competitive. Specifically, for instance, it is important to get youth employment under control. "That is the only way to rid many people of their fundamental doubts as to whether the process of European integration is right," declared the Chancellor with conviction.

EU was a "philosophy for peace"

Sixthly: "We must draw our conclusions about the referendum in the United Kingdom from a historical perspective. The idea of European integration was a "philosophy for peace". The founding fathers found the way forward towards peace and reconciliation. Today the world is "a world in turmoil". There are wars and conflicts "in our immediate neighbourhood". We face foreign and security policy challenges that nobody is going to take off Europe’s shoulders. That is why, in spite of all our attention for the British referendum, we must not for one second lose sight of the plight, for instance, of Syrian refugees or refugees from Iraq. The EU-Turkey Agreement is having an impact, but is not yet fully implemented, she said.

"There is no way round it: we will only be able to cope with these many and varied challenges together". Angela Merkel gave the examples of worldwide migration and refugee movements, climate change, the war on hunger and international terrorism. That is why it is important, she said, to make the common security and defence policy fit, in conjunction with our transatlantic partners. The tasks ahead are too immense for any one state to solve alone.

Defending European values

Germany has a special interest in European integration being successful, said the Chancellor. Germany and France together bear a special historical responsibility to preserve and protect the achievements of European integration. "And we accept this responsibility," said Angela Merkel. That is why she met on Monday with French President François Hollande and Italy’s Prime Minister Matteo Renzi in order to agree on the next steps to take. The EU must be further developed. The aim must be to have a common blueprint for a new-look EU by the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome in March 2017.

"We can be proud of our shared European values, of liberty, democracy and the rule of law, and we can be proud of our unique societal model, which makes us the envy of many in the world, and which we must stand up for in the face of global competition," said Angela Merkel. "The European Union is strong enough to withstand the United Kingdom leaving. It is strong enough to move ahead with 27 member states. And it is strong enough in future too to stand up for its interests in the world," declared the Chancellor at the close of her government statement.