British Prime Minister David Cameron says the UK should not turn its back on Europe despite the recent historic vote to leave the European Union.
"Britain is leaving the European Union but we must not turn our back on Europe or the rest of the world," Cameron said on Monday during the first parliament session since the Brexit vote.
"We have to determine the kind of relationship we want with the EU,” he noted, saying, "It is going to be difficult... This is going to be far from plain sailing."
On Thursday, people in the UK participated in the referendum held to decide about the future of the country in the EU and voted to leave the bloc.
Read more: UK votes to leave EU in historic referendum
The vote result has sent shockwaves through the political and economic sectors both in the UK and in Europe. It also led to the resignation of Cameron.
It even led people to run a petition to call for a second referendum as a number of those who voted to leave the bloc have changed their minds.
Cameron, however, told the MPs that “I’m not planning a second referendum.”
"There can be no doubt about the result ... I am clear, and the cabinet agreed this morning, that the decision must be accepted," he added.
Read more: David Cameron steps down as Britain votes to leave EU
The Premier further noted that a special government unit will be established to draw up options for negotiating the UK’s departure from the EU. The unit is tasked with leading civil service work on the issues and present advice to the new prime minister.
Formal negotiations between the EU and Britain, however, cannot start until Britain triggers Article 50 of the EU Lisbon Treaty.
Cameron said it is up for the next prime minister to activate Article 50 that sets out a two-year timetable for negotiations on withdrawal.
