EU urges UK to ‘clarify intentions’ on Brexit deal

By Sena Guler

ANKARA (AA) - The European Commission president on Tuesday urged the U.K. to “clarify its intentions" on Brexit deal as soon as possible and said the "time is almost up".

“The risk of a disorderly withdrawal of the United Kingdom has increased with this evening's vote. While we do not want this to happen, the European Commission will continue its contingency work to help ensure the EU is fully prepared,” Jean-Claude Juncker said in a statement.

British lawmakers rejected Prime Minister Theresa May’s EU withdrawal agreement after 432 of them voted against it on Tuesday evening.

Dealing May a historic defeat, the vote declared the deal, which was agreed to by British and EU officials after two years of negotiations, effectively null and void.

“I take note with regret of the outcome of the vote in the House of Commons this evening,” said Juncker.

He noted that the process of ratification of the U.K. withdrawal agreement continued on the EU side.

“The Withdrawal Agreement is a fair compromise and the best possible deal,” he said, adding that it reduced the “damage” caused by Brexit for citizens and business across Europe.

“It is the only way to ensure an orderly withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union,” he added.