Obama urges Britons to remain in EU

US President Barack Obama descends to the tarmac from Air Force One after landing at Stansted Airport in London on April 21, 2016 for a UK visit. (AFP)

US President Barack Obama has called on Britons to vote for staying in the European Union (EU), suggesting that a so-called Brexit could undermine Western clout.

In a Thursday article published by the UK’s Daily Telegraph newspaper shortly after Obama’s arrival in the country, the US president appealed to Britons to support the ‘In’ campaign during Britain's upcoming referendum in June on its EU membership.

Obama said, "I will say, with the candor of a friend, that the outcome of your decision is a matter of deep interest to the United States."

"The path you choose now will echo in the prospects of today's generation of Americans."

He said UK’s EU membership had magnified Britain's place in the world and made the European bloc stronger and more outward looking.

Obama arrived in London on April 21 to tell Britons that issues such as terrorism, migration and economic slowdowns could be tackled more successfully with the UK in the EU.

"The European Union doesn't moderate British influence - it magnifies it," he said.

"The United States sees how your powerful voice in Europe ensures that Europe takes a strong stance in the world, and keeps the EU open, outward looking, and closely linked to its allies on the other side of the Atlantic."

Obama is scheduled to meet with British Queen Elizabeth who celebrated her 90th birthday on Thursday.

He is also slated to hold talks afterwards with Prime Minister David Cameron.

The US government and many American banks and other companies fear a Brexit would cause market turmoil and cripple the EU and weaken Western security.

Britons will head to the polls on June 23 to decide on their country’s future in the European Union.


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