国际英语资讯:Spotlight: EU leaders send message of unity, hope as UK departs_时事

国际英语资讯:Spotlight: EU leaders send message of unity, hope as UK departs

LESSONS FROM BREXIT

Despite their upbeat rhetoric, the leaders were pressed by questions what lessons the EU have learned.

"It's essential in the future to take much more into consideration the expectations of the European citizens towards the European Union. It's also very important to explain what is the daily added value of this political project," Michel said, referring to the concept usually repeated by pro-EU figures that the EU is not a perfect final product but an ongoing process that constantly needs adaptations and perfections.

Von der Leyen stressed the unity, saying within three and a half years of Brexit, there was a very precious experience -- the 27 other EU member states sticking together.

To the surprise of many observers, during the Brexit negotiations, the EU27 held together around Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier to square off with London, where bitter divisions unseated the government of then Prime Minister Theresa May.

"It's way more than each single country would ever have on its own, and we make the experience how strong we are defending our values, our interests but also protecting our member state Ireland. And therefore this experience of being together and solving problems together was a valuable one," she said.

FUTURE PRIORITIES

The EU leaders also took advantage to highlight the bloc's priorities despite Brexit.

Von der Leyen, in charge of the executive branch of the EU, said the challenges that Europe faces, and the opportunities that it can grasp, have not changed because of Brexit, "It is the climate change and the European Green Deal. It is being at the forefront of the digital revolution. It is managing migration in an effective and humane way. It is building strong partnerships across the globe."