The European Union’s chief, Ursula von der Leyen, has expressed her regret over the UK’s departure from the bloc, and urged the younger generation to mend the broken relationship. In a candid interview with the BBC, she revealed that she told her children that “we goofed it up” when they asked her why the UK left the EU. She said that Brexit was a “historic mistake” that caused a lot of damage and pain on both sides.
She also said that she hoped that one day, the UK would rejoin the EU, and that she would welcome such a decision with open arms. She said that the EU and the UK share common values, history and culture, and that they should work together to face the global challenges of the 21st century. She said that the EU was not perfect, but that it was always open to reform and improvement.
She appealed to the young people of the UK, who overwhelmingly voted to remain in the EU in the 2016 referendum, to keep the European spirit alive and to not give up on the idea of a united Europe. She said that they were the ones who could fix the Brexit mess and restore the trust and friendship between the EU and the UK. She said that she believed in the power of dialogue and cooperation, and that she was ready to listen and engage with the UK on any issue of mutual interest.
She also spoke about the Windsor Framework, a new post-Brexit legal agreement between the UK and EU that adjusts the operation of the Northern Ireland Protocol1. She said that the Framework was a positive step forward that would make trade between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK easier, and give the Stormont assembly more say over EU rules.
She said that the Framework was a result of intensive negotiations and compromises, and that it showed the goodwill and flexibility of both sides. She said that she hoped that the Framework would be implemented in good faith and in full, and that it would pave the way for a strong and positive partnership between the EU and the UK.