European Union leaders react to UK political upheaval

EU leaders on Friday hoped for stability for the U.K. amid its political crisis, and an improved relationship with the 27-nation block.

On the sidelines of an ongoing EU Council meeting, Luxembourg's Prime Minister Xavier Bettel said the UK's decision to leave the Union is what brought instability.

"The biggest mistake was Brexit", Bettel told journalists.

"I hope that they soon be stable because even if they're not family members, they are still friends and neighbours," he added.

Liz Truss stepped down as Prime Minister on Thursday after only 45 days in the job.

"It's sad to see the developments in the UK after Brexit", added Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas.

Years of political turbulence have followed the UK referendum vote to abandon the other 27 countries in the EU.

British politics descended into warring factions, and Truss's transient administration may have been the climax of that turbulent period.

The next British leader's in-tray includes mending strained diplomatic and economic ties with the EU, its biggest trading partner, as part of a wider effort at restoring government credibility and reliability.

Image: AP