Juncker said he and the European Union should “remain on a friendly basis” with Britain, but warned that the country shouldn’t expect to have the same access to the EU’s single market once it officially triggers its exit.
Advertisement
Jean-Claude Juncker, EU Commission president, said in a speech that the 28-nation organization “should be stronger” militarily.
Mr Juncker said: “We need to work for a Europe that empowers our citizens and our economy”.
In order to help reach these goals, the EC has proposed a new European Electronic Communications Code that includes “forward-looking and simplified rules”, which it hopes will “make it more attractive for all companies to invest in new top-quality infrastructures everywhere in the EU, both locally and across national borders”.
Juncker called for more European Union action when it comes to common defense, dealing with external borders, climate action and commercial enterprise. Current defense contracts are granted individually to each nation’s internal industries, creating a situation where 19 different types of armored infantry fighting vehicles exist within the European Union, as opposed to one within the United States, according to information gathered by Reuters. A European army, a common defence and already in this house people are saying: “Well the Americans won’t be here any more we will have to stand alone with our own military structure”.
The EU leader stressed that the bloc’s actions should take place in concert with the USA -led North Atlantic Treaty Organisation defense alliance, to which 22 EU member states also belong.
“Having listened to you, I am pleased we voted to leave”, Farage said.
“It is clear that no lessons are going to be learned from Brexit”, he said. As well as an increased military role, Juncker also said the European Union will have to step up its diplomatic presence, suggesting the bloc should have a single foreign minister.
Britain still has to officially trigger the exit negotiations to become the first member state to walk away from Europe’s biggest unity project.
Juncker expressed his concerns about the former European Union member when he said, “We would be happy if the request for Brexit could happen as quickly as possible…”
He thinks that increases the chances of a “hard Brexit”, in which Britain crashes out of the European Union without a deal and falls back on World Trade Organization rules.
He warned that maintaining free movement of labour would be a “red line” if Britain wanted to remain part of the single market – pointing out that it formed part of the EU’s agreements with Norway and Switzerland.
Advertisement
Fintech has the power to increase the role of capital markets, bringing them closer to companies and investors, says the European Commission.
