LONDON – EU chief executive Jean-Claude Juncker renewed an offer to Britainon Wednesday to stay in the European Union and said he hoped that even ifit goes through with Brexit it would apply to rejoin the bloc.
Speaking to the European Parliament, where he had endorsed a statement onTuesday by European Council President Donald Tusk that Britain would bewelcome to remain Juncker said he accepted a share of responsibility forthe British referendum vote in 2016 to leave the Union.
“I still feel the exit of Britain is a catastrophe, yes, a defeat we allhave to take responsibility for,” he said, responding to a written questionfrom a German lawmaker who had asked if Juncker felt responsible for Brexit.
“But the reasons for the British exit lie deeper. As Prime Minister(Theresa) May has said, the British never felt at ease in the EU and for 40years they haven’t been given the chance to feel more at ease. That is whythe blame is on many.”
”Mr. Tusk and I once again reached out to the British government yesterdayand said that if the British people, the British parliament, the Britishgovernment, wish for another way than Brexit, we would be prepared todiscuss it. We are not throwing out the British, we want them to stay. Andif they want to, they should be able to.
“But I noticed that in London, they have reacted almost upset at thisreaction. Be it as it may, once the British have left under Article 50there is still Article 49 which allows a return to membership and I wouldlike that. I would like us now to treat each other with respect and notabandon each other.”
There has been a surge in debate this month in Britain on whether thereshould be a second vote to endorse the terms on which Britain leaves.However, May’s spokesman said on Tuesday that there was no question of notfollowing through in March next year on the referendum vote of June 2016 toleave the EU.
Constitutional lawyers are divided on whether Britain can withdraw itstwo-year notice to quit but the exchanges underline a view in Brussels thatan EU political consensus could be found to avert Brexit — even if mostare now resigned to Britain leaving and believe the Union will weather thedisruption.
Among those who have spoken of a willingness to help Britain stay or torejoin have been French President Emmanuel Macron. Asked about the currentdebate, one of his advisers said on Wednesday that France would stillwelcome a change of heart.
“If tomorrow, or the day after, the United Kingdom decided to change itsmind, it’s clear that we would look at this with kindness,” the advisersaid. “But it’s not up to us to say if the UK wants to change its mind.” -Agencies