Brussels (AFP)

The president of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker, hospitalized, will be absent from the G7 of Biarritz this week-end, announced a spokesperson of the Commission Monday.

Juncker, 64, had to cut short his vacation to return urgently to Luxembourg and undergo this weekend a removal of the gall bladder.

"The operation went well and he is currently recovering at the hospital and his doctors have recommended that he not travel," spokeswoman Natasha Bertaud said at the daily press briefing.

The European leader will "not be able to attend the G7" in France, she added.

She said the Luxembourger would "quickly" get in touch with President Emmanuel Macron and European Council President Donald Tusk on the subject.

The summit would have allowed Jean-Claude Juncker to meet in person for the first time with Boris Johnson, since becoming Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

The Brexit is scheduled for October 31 and Boris Johnson said he was determined to leave the EU on that date, whether or not he succeeded in renegotiating the withdrawal agreement.

Mr Juncker will not be replaced for this summit and the spokeswoman recalled that in the past the EU had already been represented only by the President of the Commission or the President of the European Council.

Mr Juncker is to resign from the Commission on 31 October after a five-year term. He will be replaced by the German Ursula von der Leyen, former Defense Minister of his country.

© 2019 AFP