Leaders vow to work for renewal of trust in the EU
Donald Tusk - Photo EU Council
(BRATISLAVA) - EU leaders meeting at an informal 'summit of reflection' following the United Kingdom's 'Brexit' vote in June vowed to listen to concerns and forge a new reformed common future for the remaining 27 Member States.
This was a sombre get-together which required "a sober and brutally honest assessment of the situation", according to President of the EU Council Donald Tusk.
It was no 'business as usual', and leaders had frank discussions about the causes of Brexit, and about "the root causes of the current political situation in Europe". He said leaders would respond to the fact that "millions of Europeans feel insecure" and that "people are concerned about what they see as lack of control, and express fears over migration, terrorism and last but not least, about their economic and social future."
The Bratislava Summit was devoted developing plans for a new future direction without the United Kingdom. EU leaders were, he promised, "determined to correct the past mistakes and move on with common solutions as the EU of 27".
In a 'Bratislava Declaration and Roadmap', the summit set out a number of concrete objectives for the coming months. These include:
- restoring full control of the external borders
- ensuring internal security and fighting terrorism
- strengthening EU cooperation on external security and defence
- boosting the single market and offering better opportunities for young Europeans.
While it was "a sad moment for Europe" when the British people decided to leave the Union, leaders were determined not to be defeatist. "While we all agree that the European Union is not perfect", said Mr Tusk, "we also agree that it is the best instrument we have. That is why we are determined to correct the past mistakes and move on with common solutions as the EU of 27. We will not continue business as usual. To move the EU forward we have discussed a Bratislava roadmap, which sets out the objectives for our work ahead of the Rome meeting in March next year, when we want to conclude this process."
The EU will look to deliver more practical and tangible decisions in the coming months, and to deliver on its promises through "loyal cooperation between Member States and institutions".
The summit also addressed an urgent and particular concern of Bulgaria, with several leaders promising to immediately deploy extra personnel and equipment to help guard Bulgaria's border with Turkey.