Subject:	  	  	  EPS	  -­‐	  Statement	  by	  Christophe	  Rossel,	  President	  of	  the	  EPS,	  after	  UK's	  decision	  to	  leave	  the	  EU	  Date:	  	   Fri,	  24	  Jun	  2016	  13:53:17	  +0000	  	  	  Mulhouse,	  24	  June	  2016	  -­‐	  The	  European	  Physical	  Society	  (EPS)	  regrets	  the	  outcome	  of	  the	  vote	  by	  the	  British	  people	  and	  their	  decision	  to	  leave	  the	  European	  Union.	  In	  spite	  of	  all	  possible	  consequences	  that	  might	  arise	  from	  this	  choice,	  the	  popular	  decision	  must	  be	  respected	  like	  in	  all	  democratic	  processes.	  The	  result	  of	  the	  UK's	  referendum	  will	  certainly	  bring	  the	  leaders	  to	  start	  a	  wider	  discussion	  on	  the	  future	  of	  the	  union.	  Even	  if	  Europe	  might	  loose	  a	  strong	  and	  respected	  research	  partner,	  the	  scientific	  community	  must	  remain	  united	  and	  aim	  in	  fostering	  further	  the	  international	  collaboration,	  especially	  when	  urgent	  solutions	  to	  global	  challenges	  are	  required.	  Indeed,	  one	  of	  the	  strengths	  of	  scientific	  research	  is	  its	  international	  nature	  and	  the	  free	  exchange	  of	  people	  and	  ideas	  across	  borders,	  a	  policy	  and	  philosophy	  strongly	  supported	  by	  EPS.	  At	  a	  time	  when	  the	  EU	  Commission	  wants	  to	  develop	  and	  implement	  open	  science	  policy	  to	  improve	  the	  quality	  and	  impact	  of	  European	  science,	  in	  particular	  by	  better	  interconnecting	  research	  infrastructures,	  it	  would	  be	  unfortunate	  to	  see	  such	  efforts	  refrained	  by	  political	  decisions.	  	  The	  withdrawal	  of	  the	  UK	  from	  the	  EU	  will	  indeed	  have	  negative	  consequences	  for	  its	  universities	  and	  researchers.	  Like	  Switzerland	  is	  experiencing	  it	  with	  its	  status	  of	  partial	  associated	  country	  in	  Horizon	  2020	  and	  all	  the	  required	  negotiations	  to	  reach	  bilateral	  agreements,	  access	  to	  EU	  funding	  will	  become	  more	  difficult	  	  for	  UK	  scientists.	  In	  spite	  of	  yesterday's	  vote,	  EPS	  will	  further	  develop	  and	  strengthen	  its	  excellent	  relationship	  with	  the	  Institute	  of	  Physics	  (IOP),	  and	  this	  with	  the	  help	  of	  all	  its	  other	  national	  member	  societies.	  
It	  is	  the	  mission	  of	  EPS	  to	  advocate	  for	  physics	  research	  and	  its	  contribution	  to	  the	  economic,	  technological,	  social	  and	  cultural	  advancement	  in	  Europe.	  Its	  role	  is	  also	  to	  represent	  the	  European	  physics	  community	  in	  providing	  independent	  input	  into	  science	  policy	  issues.	  In	  this	  function	  EPS	  calls	  on	  the	  UK	  Government	  and	  the	  EU	  governing	  bodies	  to	  act	  with	  all	  respectful	  means	  to	  ensure	  a	  smooth	  transition	  and	  maintain	  the	  good	  integration	  of	  the	  UK	  scientists	  within	  the	  European	  landscape.	  	  Christophe	  Rossel	  EPS	  President	  	  	  	  	  -­‐-­‐-­‐	  The	  European	  Physical	  Society	  6	  rue	  des	  Frères	  Lumière