EU Parliament urges Brexit triggering 'as soon as possible'

Britons voted to leave the European Union in a referendum on June 23

The European Parliament on Tuesday urged Britain to trigger the divorce process from the European Union as soon as possible after the shock referendum vote by British voters to leave the bloc. The "will expressed by the people needs to be entirely and fully respected, starting with an activation of Article 50 as soon as possible," said a resolution approved by MEPs at an emergency session, by 395 in favour to 200 against, with 71 abstentions. It is up to the British government to invoke the so-called Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty that starts the clock on two years to negotiate the terms of the exit.