The EU promises "a new dawn for Europe" after Brexit

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"As the night approaches, the sun will set on more than 45 years of membership of the United Kingdom in the European Union," said the presidents of the three European institutions, David Sassoli, Parliament, Ursula Von der Leyen , Commission and Charles Michel, Council, in a joint letter on Brexit Day, which nevertheless represents "a new dawn for Europe."

In English, French, German and Italian, the three presidents of the European institutions have addressed the press this morning. On days like today, symbolism doesn't just matter. It's key. In the European Parliament's visitor center, the heart of EU democracy, and after going through an exhibition that traces the history of European integration, the three presidents of the community institutions have addressed the press.

"Today is an exceptional day for Europe. It is never a happy time when someone leaves, but today we open a new chapter," said Charles Michel, to add: "We will devote all our energy to building a stronger and more ambitious European Union . " The important thing, said the former Belgian Prime Minister, " is to look to the future of the Union ." Meet the expectations of citizens. Communicate better about the benefits of belonging to the EU.

The declaration comes just a few hours before Brexit and after a kind of spiritual retreat in the house of Jean Monnet, one of the founding fathers, in Bazoches (France). A statement that looks to the future on a day that closes one of the most convulsive political stages in European history. "More than ever we have to think about how we can better use our tools to meet the expectations of our citizens," Michel insisted. "We will work together on our common priorities to show again that the single European project is positive ."

"Our experience has taught us that the force is not in the splendid isolation but in the uniqueness of our unity," said Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. "Being part of the European Union counts, the union is strength," he insisted. The German has assured that these three years of negotiation with the United Kingdom until Brexit have served at 27 to better understand the importance of that unit, of supporting each other.

"The challenges that Europe faces and the opportunities it can take advantage of have not changed because of Brexit," said Von der Leyen, who has called on the EU to lead the fight against climate change , shape the revolution digital and be more assertive in foreign policy. "When the sun rises tomorrow, a new chapter for our union will begin, a unique opportunity in a generation will open up for the EU."

For his part, the President of Parliament, David Sassoli, has made a fiery defense of the EU as a regulator, has insisted that the current challenges do not understand borders and that, therefore, no country is better outside the Union.

"There are forces that are trying to weaken the European Union," he denounced, "we are the largest economic space in the world but we want rules that govern it." Without rules, "the weakest will be excluded and the strongest will be the masters. That is not what the EU wants," said the Italian. Those who attack the EU, he insisted, do so "because they are afraid of a regulated world."

The EU before itself

The UK's exit from the EU opens a new stage in relations with London. Next Monday, Von der Leyen announced, the Commission will present the draft negotiating mandate for Michel Barnier, who must approve the 27. "We want to have the best possible relationship with the United Kingdom but it will never be as good as membership." The German has warned. "The more the United Kingdom moves away from European standards, the less access it will have to the single market," said Charles Michel.

But with Brexit, the EU is also facing a reflection on the future of the block, its structure, its objectives. In the coming months, Brussels will launch the 'Conference on the future of Europe' , a sort of agora that aims to collect the EU's vision of member states, European and national parliamentarians, social agents and citizens to define a sheet of route for the community project.

In 1952, Jean Monnet gave a speech at the opening session of the Assembly of the European Coal and Steel Community - which would lay the foundation for the creation of the EU as we know it - in defense of the institutions. "It is our duty to develop, strengthen and protect them from our tendency to reach short-term commitments. Because, since they were born, the Europe we want to leave our children is no longer just an aspiration. It has become a reality," he defended. French politician

When the EU sees a member state leave for the first time, the institutions turn to reform and reflect a Europe that has little or nothing to do with that of the 50s. And yet, it sees the old ones reborn and "tragic national rivalries," which was born to fight with "unity in freedom and diversity."

Europe, said Robert Schuman back in 1950, "will not be done at once, or according to a single plan. It will be built through concrete achievements that first create de facto solidarity." The EU is facing a period of reflection to continue strengthening institutions that have allowed the preservation of peace on the continent during the last 70 years, but which, once again, are staggered before the scourge of nationalisms. "Work will continue as soon as the sun rises tomorrow."

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

• Europe
• European Union
• European Parliament
• Ursula von der Leyen
• London
• Brexit

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