EU’s Jean-Claude Juncker: UK must swiftly announce post-Brexit steps

British Prime Minister David Cameron (L) and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on June 28, 2016 at the European Union headquarters in Brussels (AFP)

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker says that the UK does not have "months to meditate" on the actions it wishes to carry out following the Brexit vote.

"I have some understanding for the fact that (Prime Minister) David Cameron wants to have some time in order to meditate," said Juncker after an EU summit held in Brussels on Tuesday.

British people voted on Thursday to leave the European Union, raising concerns among the bloc’s leaders that rising anti-EU sentiments among citizens would cause similar moves across the continent.

"What I don't understand is that those who wanted to leave (the EU) are totally unable to tell us what they want,” he said. "I thought that if you want to leave you have a plan, you have a project, you have a global picture." 

Junker also called on Britain to swiftly trigger Article 50 after Cameron's successor is determined on September 9.

"We want Article 50 (of the Lisbon Treaty formally stating Britain's intention to leave) to be triggered as soon as possible... It has to be speeded up,” he said.

Cameron announced his resignation hours after the result of the referendum came out on Friday, saying it would be up to his successor to trigger negotiations for the exit from the union.

"If someone from the 'Remain' camp will become British PM, this has to be done in two weeks after his appointment," he said, adding, "If the next British PM is coming from the 'Leave' campaign, it should be done the day after his appointment."