German academics call on Angela Merkel to show solidarity with non-Brexit voters

'While UK governments have not always been a force for unity in the EU, there is a generation of British citizens who want a future as EU citizens,' says the letter

German Chancellor Angela Merkel listening to Ukip leader Nigel Farage (RT)

More than 300 German academics have called on Angela Merkel to show solidarity with UK citizens who voted Remain during the forthoming negotiations over Brexit.

In an open letter to the German Chancellor, they asked her to protect the rights of "British Europeans" in any future deals with Britain.

"As academics and teachers of German and European studies, we are concerned about the outcome of any Brexit negotiations for EU citizens," they said.

"We ask Germany to act in solidarity with British Europeans who did not choose this result, by striving to protect their rights in any future EU exit agreement.

"Any moves to do otherwise in the name of unity between the other 27 member states would contradict the very notion of European solidarity."

The letter warned Ms Merkel about the potentially disastrous effects on young British citizens who overwhelmingly voted to remain in Europe.

It added that European student exchange programmes such as Erasmus+ could be adversely affected with current and former students losing their right to study and work abroad.

"Last week, nearly three quarters of voters under 25 chose to remain in the EU," the letter said.

"Soon, they may be denied the opportunities that European integration aims to offer.

"Instead of excluding young people from EU citizenship, we should work together to ensure that all people across Europe have the equality of opportunity they deserve."

The academics said the British citizens should not be punished for the actions of fractious British politicians.

"While UK governments have not always been a force for unity in the EU, there is a generation of British citizens who want a future as EU citizens," the letter concluded.

"Stripping them of their citizenship contradicts the principles of the European treaties that ask for European solidarity and prosperity for all Europeans.

"We ask you to defend the rights of EU citizens in any future exit negotiations with the UK."

Former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl echoed the letter's sentiments, urging EU leaders not to act in haste and "slam the door" on the UK after Brexit.

A post-Brexit survey of German people found that two thirds want their government to reclaim some powers back from the EU.

The poll also found that only a third of Germans wanted to actually leave the EU altogether.