Ref. Ares(2016)3441837 - 14/07/2016
Message from President Juncker to EU staff following the UK Referendum
24/06/2016 (posted on the European Commission intranet)
Dear colleagues,
Yesterday, the citizens of the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union. This result
makes me personally very sad – but I respect their choice.
I know that many of you are concerned about your future after this vote. I fully understand
that. So I want to send a clear message to you, colleagues, and especially to colleagues of
British nationality.
According to our Staff Regulations, you are "Union officials". You work for Europe. You left
your national 'hats' at the door when you joined this institution and that door is not closing on
you now. As European civil servants you have always been loyal to our Union, contributing
tremendously to our common European project. And so it will be in this spirit of reciprocal
loyalty that I will work together with the Presidents of the other European institutions to
ensure that we can all continue counting on your outstanding talent, experience and
commitment. I know you all have legitimate expectations about your rights and duties, your
families who might have followed you to Brussels and your children who might be enrolled in
schools here.
Let me assure you that I will do everything in my power as President of the Commission, to
support and help you in this difficult process. Our Staff Regulations will be read and applied
in a European spirit.
In the coming days and weeks, you will all have the opportunity to show the European
Commission at its best. The eyes of the world will be upon us, expecting us to provide
stability, act decisively and uphold Europe's values. I have every confidence in you. Together
we will rise to that task.
Jean-Claude Juncker