(ANSA-AP) - TRIESTE, 27 GIU - Germany's defense minister says she doesn't expect Britain to rejoin the European Union in her lifetime. A majority of older British voters favored leaving the EU in Thursday's referendum, while most younger voters wanted to stay in. Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen, who is 57, told Germany's ARD television Sunday night: "Great Britain will not re-enter the European Union in my lifetime, but perhaps our children or grandchildren will be smart enough to restore the strength of Europe." Von der Leyen also added her voice to calls for Britain to clarify its intentions and trigger the negotiating process quickly. Departing Prime Minister David Cameron has signaled that he wants to wait several months to begin the country's exit from the 28-nation bloc. Asked to define quickly, she said: "I can't define that in days or weeks.

That is not in my hands. But the idea of 'months' takes some getting used to for us - it is actually not acceptable." (ANSA-AP).