European Union (EU) foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini said the bloc will continue to be a strong actor in the world, after Britain voted to leave the bloc in a referendum on Thursday.

"The British citizens have made their choice to leave our union. However much we regret this decision, we respect it," she said in a statement on Friday.

Mogherini said the challenges that the EU facing are too pressing to afford any institutional uncertainty.

"This is why we will move forward on the basis of our shared values and interests and why we will keep working for the security and the well-being of our citizens, for the inclusiveness and the resilience of our societies, and for a more just and more cooperative world," she stated.

The EU foreign affairs chief pledged that the EU will continue to be a strong actor, and a reliable partner to its friends all around the world.

"We will continue to act as a force for peace, a provider of security, and a staunch supporter of international cooperation and multilateralism," she stressed.

"Disengagement is not an option, but neither is business as usual", she said, calling the union is the best way to respond to citizens' needs and aspirations.

Mogherini said the EU in tough times called for even greater leadership and for more unity.

"Unity of purpose is our strength and our citizens - and the entire world - needs a strong European Union like never before

source : xinhua