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| Brexit: European Union membership is 'still open' for Britain, both EU presidents say | Brexit: European Union membership is 'still open' for Britain, both EU presidents say |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Britain could still “change its mind” about Brexit at this late stage and return to be a member of the European Union, the two highest officials in the European Union have said. | Britain could still “change its mind” about Brexit at this late stage and return to be a member of the European Union, the two highest officials in the European Union have said. |
| Speaking at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Euroepan Council president Donald Tusk said that Europeans’ “hearts are still open” to “our British friends” to remain in the bloc. | Speaking at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Euroepan Council president Donald Tusk said that Europeans’ “hearts are still open” to “our British friends” to remain in the bloc. |
| “If the UK government sticks to its decision to leave Brexit will become a reality, with all its negative consequences in March next year, unless there is a change of heart among our British friends,” he told MEPs. | “If the UK government sticks to its decision to leave Brexit will become a reality, with all its negative consequences in March next year, unless there is a change of heart among our British friends,” he told MEPs. |
| Quoting the Brexit Secretary, he added: “Wasn’t it David Davis himself who said ‘if a democracy cannot change its mind, it ceases to be a democracy’? We here on the continent haven’t had a change of heart – our hearts are still open to you. Thank you.” | Quoting the Brexit Secretary, he added: “Wasn’t it David Davis himself who said ‘if a democracy cannot change its mind, it ceases to be a democracy’? We here on the continent haven’t had a change of heart – our hearts are still open to you. Thank you.” |
| He was immediately backed up by Jean-Claude Juncker, the President of the European Commission. | He was immediately backed up by Jean-Claude Juncker, the President of the European Commission. |
| “President Tusk also made some comments on Brexit, he said that our door remains open. I hope that will be heard clearly in London,” Mr Juncker added. | “President Tusk also made some comments on Brexit, he said that our door remains open. I hope that will be heard clearly in London,” Mr Juncker added. |
| Speaking at the same sitting of the Parliament, Guy Verhofstadt, the body’s Brexit chief, added: “What we will never allow as a parliament is that at the end you can have a better position, a better status outside the European Union, than inside the European Union. | |
| “Inside the European Union will always be the best solution for every European country and European state.” | |
| Commission president Mr Juncker had said last week during a discussion about the EU’s Budget that he believed it was still probable that Britain would leave, and that the bloc’s finances have to be planned accordingly. | |
| Mr Tusk has previously suggested Britain could change its mind, but the public statement from Mr Juncker breaks new ground. The Commission's line has long been one of getting on with the Brexit process. | |
| More follows… | More follows… |