German chancellor Angela Merkel hopes that Britain stays in EU

However, she added that it was up to the British people to determine the country's future relations with the EU

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday reiterated her hope for Britain to stay in the EU, warning that the country's access to the European single market will be blocked if British people choose to leave in the referendum next week.

"Anything related to the domestic market and the common well being of the Great Britain and other European countries would, of course, not be available any more for the Great Britain." XInhua news agency quoted her as saying.

The chancellor said Britain would have to negotiate as a third party country with the remaining EU member states if it leaves the bloc.

 

"I cannot imagine that this would be of any advantage," she said.

However, Merkel added that it was up to the British people to determine the country's future relations with the EU.