By Ayhan Simsek

BERLIN

Germany has expressed regret over the U.K.’s decision to leave the European Union, and urged EU members to show unity to prevent a deeper crisis in Europe.

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Friday tweeted that it is “a sad day for Europe”.

“The early morning news from Great Britain are truly sobering. It looks like a sad day for Europe and the United Kingdom,” he said, in remarks shared at the Foreign Ministry’s Twitter account.

UK citizens voted to leave the EU in a historic referendum on Thursday, sparking worries across European capitals over the future of the 28-nation bloc.

Berlin urges unity

Germany’s influential politician, Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble, expressed respect for the decision of the U.K. electorate, while adding that this outcome was not something desired by him.

He urged for a “forward-looking” approach to minimize the possible damages to both sides.

“Europe [should] now stand together. We must now try to make the best of this decision taken by our British friends,” he said, adding that he would be in close contact with major economic powers on the situation.

‘Biggest catastrophe’

German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democrats described the results of the referendum as “a serious blow to the European integration”.

"This is the biggest catastrophe in the history of European integration,” said senior conservative lawmaker Norbert Roettgen, who heads the Committee on Foreign Affairs in the parliament.

Roettgen told German national news agency, DPA, that the results of the referendum would undoubtedly weaken the geopolitical position of the European Union.

He underlined that Germany would have a special obligation in the coming days to ensure unity within the EU.

‘Major damage to both sides’

EU lawmaker Manfred Weber from German Christian Social Union (CSU) voiced concern for major negative impacts of the Brexit decision for Europe.

“We respect and regret the decision of the British voters. It causes major damage to both sides,” he tweeted.

The senior conservative lawmaker, who leads the center-right of the European People’s Party group in the European Parliament, pointed out that there would be difficult negotiations ahead between the EU and the U.K.

“Exit negotiations should be concluded within 2 years at maximum. There cannot be any special treatment. Leave means leave,” he stressed.

Weber also underlined that the EU should address the concerns of European citizens, reflected in the U.K. referendum.

“We want a better and smarter Europe. We have to convince the people and bring Europe back to them,” he said.

Germany had repeatedly stressed before the Brexit referendum that it wanted Britain to stay within the 28-member bloc. Senior members of the German government had warned that a Brexit might trigger similar referendums in other EU member states, fueling nationalist movements and divisions among European states.