The brand new president of the European Fee Ursula von der Leyen made a speech to the London Faculty of Economics earlier at this time. Through the speech, von der Leyen stated:
‘With out an extension of the transition interval past 2020, you can not count on to agree on each single side of our new partnership. We must prioritise.’
You may take heed to the speech and browse the total transcript under:
Girls and Gents,
It’s a nice pleasure to be again right here on the London Faculty of Economics – a spot which brings again so many comfortable reminiscences for me. The yr I spent right here taught me a lot – each out and in of LSE. As anybody who knew me on the time will inform you, I spent extra time in Soho bars and Camden document shops than I did studying books in Senate Home Library. To be able to spare my very own blushes, I’ll spare you all the small print!
However what I can say is that the time I spent right here opened my eyes. I bought to know a heat, vibrant, vibrant, multicultural society – the likes of which I had not likely skilled earlier than. I noticed individuals from completely different walks of life going out collectively, having fun with life, inhaling freedom. I immersed myself on this melting pot of cultures, traditions and music. And I really fell in love with this metropolis and this nation.
This nation, strong-willed, open-minded and massive hearted. Proud and patriotic. Type and beneficiant in spirit. Stuffed with traditions and contradictions.
In fact, sure issues took longer for me to be taught. The sense of humour for instance, or the delicate meanings hidden in each sentence. However this solely deepened my fascination and my admiration for the UK which stays as sturdy at this time because it was again then.
Within the interval simply earlier than and after the referendum, I believed so much about my time right here in London. I say this not simply due to my love for this nation. But in addition due to what the UK has delivered to Europe and the European Union.
In a really understated British manner, we don’t all the time speak sufficient about this. Earlier than the ashes of the Second World Battle had even settled, it was Winston Churchill who made the perfect case for a united Europe. I learn out passages from his 1946 Zurich speech the final time I used to be right here – it’s the most eloquent and highly effective case for the European Union you would ever want to learn. And whereas the UK initially selected to be on the surface, it will definitely took its place on the within – making us each that a lot stronger. The connection could not have all the time been clean or excellent – what relationship ever is. However, for my part, the great far outweighs the tough.
As President of the European Fee, I need to pay tribute at this time to all these British individuals who contributed a lot to the 45 plus years of EU membership. I consider the British pragmatism and management when it got here to opening up our Union to members of our household who had been out within the chilly for thus lengthy. The successive EU enlargements had been historic steps for our continent they usually bear the British hallmark. I consider those that helped to construct our establishments.
Folks like Commissioner Arthur Cockfield who was referred to as the ‘father of the Single Market’. Or Roy Jenkins, President of the European Fee whereas I used to be at LSE, who did a lot to pave the way in which for our single forex. I consider the European civil servants of British nationality who devoted their lives and careers to Europe and have carried out a lot to construct our Union.
They may all the time keep part of our household.
I consider the British servicemen and servicewomen who’ve helped to maintain the peace from the Balkans to the Baltics. And I consider the tens of millions of strange British individuals who have taken to the streets in pro-EU marches in the previous couple of years.
In fact, for them, and for a lot of tens of millions extra, the results of the referendum was a bitter capsule to swallow. However it’s individuals who make politics. And the choice of the British individuals in June 2016 was clear.
As a lot as we regretted it, the European Union has all the time totally revered that call. You’ve seen this all through the final three and a half years. Our negotiations had been long and hard however the European Union negotiated in good religion, looking for options that defend our personal pursuits and respect the UK’s decisions.
It’s an settlement that we negotiated with our individuals and the integrity of the European Union in thoughts. It’s one which preserves the outstanding peace and progress on the island of Eire within the final 20 years. I cannot go into the ins and outs of the negotiations on the divorce. That is carried out and dusted so far as I’m involved.
Earlier than the top of the month, I count on each the British and European Parliaments to ratify the settlement. And so, in simply over three weeks, on 31 January, the UK will spend its final day as a Member State.
This shall be a tricky and emotional day.
However when the solar rises once more on 1 February, the EU and the UK will nonetheless be the perfect of pals and companions. The bonds between us will nonetheless be unbreakable. We’ll nonetheless…