German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble on Friday warned against a British exit from the European Union (EU).
"A Brexit would be tough for everyone, but above all for Britain," Xinhua quoted the minister as saying.
Britain is scheduled to hold a referendum on June 23 on its EU membership.
Schaeuble noted that the vote was final and renegotiations would not make a British withdrawal reversed.
"In is in. Out is out," he stressed.
The minister also warned of a domino effect, expressing concern that other EU member countries would think about leaving the EU after the British referendum.
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He noted that the EU must show it has learned lessons from the British referendum whatever the outcome.
Even if the British people vote for an EU membership by a narrow majority, Schaeuble said, "It would be a warning with the message: not to continue with business as usual."
But if Britain leaves, the minister added, Europe at a pinch "will also work without Britain."
--IANS
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