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EU state of the union: Juncker warns UK on single market EU state of the union: Juncker warns UK on single market
(35 minutes later)
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has begun his first State of the Union address since the UK's unexpected vote to leave the bloc. EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has said the bloc is not at risk from Brexit, in his first State of the Union address since the UK's unexpected vote to leave the EU.
He warned the UK that access to the internal market relied on the free movement of people. There could be no "a la carte access", he said. And he warned the UK that it could expect access to the EU's internal market without free movement of people. There could be no "a la carte access".
Mr Juncker is aiming to rally the 27 countries staying in the EU to the challenges of migration and security. Mr Juncker also called for the formation of a common military force.
The EU was not "at risk" from Brexit, he insisted. "We must have a European headquarters," he added.
But splits had led to "galloping populism" and Europe had to be protected from them. The UK has always resisted the idea of a so-called EU army because of the potential conflict of interest with Nato. But its decision to leave the bloc has given added impetus to plans for greater defence co-operation.
In a blunt criticism of recent attacks on immigrants in the UK, he said he would "never accept Polish workers being beaten up and harassed on the streets of Essex".
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"This should be in complement to Nato," Mr Juncker said. "More defence in Europe doesn't mean less transatlantic solidarity." A European Defence Fund would stimulate military research and development, he said.
Much of his speech was devoted to the effects of Brexit. Splits had led to "galloping populism" and Europe had to be protected from them, he said.
In a blunt criticism of recent attacks on immigrants in the UK, he said he would "never accept Polish workers being beaten up and harassed on the streets of Essex".
He urged a renewed focus on the union as a "driving force that can bring about unification - for instance in Cyprus".
"Above all, Europe means peace - it is no coincidence that the longest period of peace began with the formation of the European community," he said.
Tusk warningTusk warning
EU leaders meet in Slovakia's capital Bratislava on Friday - without UK Prime Minister Theresa May.EU leaders meet in Slovakia's capital Bratislava on Friday - without UK Prime Minister Theresa May.
Late on Tuesday, European Council President Donald Tusk made his own intervention into the debate on the EU's future. Late on Tuesday, their leader in the European Council - Donald Tusk - made his own intervention into the debate on the EU's future.
In a letter - traditionally written to leaders ahead of a summit - Mr Tusk suggested the EU should be mindful of its own ambitions in light of the Brexit vote. In a letter traditionally written to leaders ahead of a summit, Mr Tusk suggested the EU should be mindful of its own ambitions in light of the Brexit vote.
"The keys to a healthy balance between the priorities of member states and those of the Union lie in national capitals," Mr Tusk said."The keys to a healthy balance between the priorities of member states and those of the Union lie in national capitals," Mr Tusk said.
"The institutions should support the priorities as agreed among member states, and not impose their own ones.""The institutions should support the priorities as agreed among member states, and not impose their own ones."
That remark contrasted with Mr Juncker's insistence on Wednesday that "too often, national interests are brought to the fore" in Europe.That remark contrasted with Mr Juncker's insistence on Wednesday that "too often, national interests are brought to the fore" in Europe.
Later, he urged a renewed focus on the union as a "driving force that can bring about unification - for instance in Cyprus". There were several other themes in Mr Juncker's speech, including:
"Above all, Europe means peace - it is no coincidence that the longest period of peace began with the formation of the European community," he said.