Founding European Union members have begun a crisis meeting in Berlin to discuss Britain's shock referendum result, after 52 per cent of voters there opted to leave the EU.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande led calls for urgent EU reform, in order to survive a traumatic divorce with Britain, but also to ensure the continued survival of the Union.
The foreign ministers of the founding six member nations — Germany, France, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands and Luxembourg — are behind closed doors in Berlin, discussing how to make Britain's departure as smooth and swift as possible.
Before heading in to the meeting, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said the EU would weather the shock of the British vote to leave.
His French counterpart Jean-Marc Ayrault also urged quick negotiations on Britain's exit from the EU, saying that the pressure would be "very strong" on British Prime Minister David Cameron.
European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker said Britain's planned departure from the EU was "not an amicable divorce" but called for it to be quick.
"I do not understand why the British Government needs until October to decide whether to send the divorce letter to Brussels," he told German public broadcaster ARD.
"I'd like it immediately."
He admitted that the EU had hoped Britain would stay, but that now it was key to make the separation process as speedy and painless as possible.
"It is not an amicable divorce but it was also not an intimate love affair," he said.
"It is not a good day for Britain and the European Union but we must go on."
Ms Merkel earlier told reporters in Berlin that they took note "of the British people's decision with regret".
"There is no doubt that this is a blow to Europe and to the European unification process."
With global markets in turmoil, Ms Merkel said it was important to "not draw quick and simple conclusions from the referendum in Great Britain, which would only further divide Europe".
Mr Hollande said the Brexit vote was a "grave test for Europe," adding that the bloc "must show solidity and strength in its response to the economic and financial risks".
Worried European leaders will hold a series of crisis talks in coming days, with Ms Merkel saying she would host the leaders of France and Italy along with EU President Donald Tusk in Berlin on Monday to try to chart a reform plan.
ABC/AFP