London, Sep 29 (IANS): Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi on Thursday said it would be "impossible" for Brexit talks to result in a deal that gave Britons more rights than others outside the European Union (EU).

Renzi told the BBC that he had been shocked and saddened by the referendum result, but repeated Prime Minister Theresa May's vow that "Brexit is Brexit" saying democracy had to be respected.

But he said that a debate could only begin once the UK had triggered article 50 -- the official procedure for it to start leaving the EU -- and he warned: "It will be impossible to give to British people more rights than other people outside the EU."

"The people of the UK decided the way for the future," Renzi said. 

"Now the situation is that we can -- and we have to -- build the best alliance between the UK and the EU for the future because we will be the best friends for the next years."

"And at the same time I think this decision could push European leaders to invest in a new way for Europe," the Italian Premier added.

Renzi also blamed the exit on David Cameron, saying the former Prime Minister had tried to solve internal problems within the Conservatives by calling the EU referendum.