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At the European level, I consider we have many strengths. We have strong values, strong freedoms, rule of law, 27 strong democracies, 22 million businesses, a big single market, and a powerful single market. And I think that, more than ever, we have to think how it is possible to use more the tools we have, how it is possible to be more efficient, how it is possible to deliver more for citizens, for all European citizens. And I am convinced that in the next months we will, Parliament, Commission and European Council, work closely together with common priorities, with a common political agenda in order to be able to show again that this unique European project in history is a very strong project and a very optimistic and very positive project for all European citizens. I think also at the international level that we have many reasons to be more self-confident and more assertive. And we have to certainly also try to work together in order to deliver more, also at this level.
As for the negotiations that will now begin with the United Kingdom, our intention is of course to take an approach which is fair to the United Kingdom, as we have always been throughout the last three years, and at the same time responsible. We are emphasising a message which is extremely clear, simple and strong. We, the European Union, want to keep the closest possible relationship with the United Kingdom. But of course we need to be clear on this issue. The more the United Kingdom may decide to diverge from European standards, the less access the United Kingdom will have to the internal market.
It is very important, I think, for us to be engaged, over the coming months, together with Michel Barnier, who has the Member States’ full confidence to continue the work which he has done over the last few years, and who has ensured that this unity among the EU countries has been preserved. I should like to say once again that the European Council will be following developments in these negotiations closely and will be available, whenever necessary, to give the appropriate guidance in response to those developments. I shall conclude by saying that this is an exceptional day, out of the ordinary, for the European project. That we have mixed feelings, but that the main thing, for me certainly, is the belief that what is important is to consider the future of the European project, to work in a strong, determined, energetic way to show that these values, which are the soul of this European project and made it possible, in the last century, to bring together those who had, tragically, gone to war with one another to build an area of peace and prosperity, can once again motivate us to set to work together and ensure that we can deliver results that are felt by all citizens over the coming years.