BucharestForum/Frattini: Wrong for EU to punish UK for Brexit

It would be a mistake if the European Union were to "punish" the United Kingdom for its intention of leaving the community bloc, former Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs Franco Frattini stated on tuesday in a discussion about the future of the European project within the Bucharest Forum conference.

At the same time, a "no deal" situation - the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union without an agreement following the negotiations with Brussels - would not be beneficial for the United Kingdom, Frattini pointed out, making an appeal in this context to "more leadership" on behalf of the EU. 

Frattini also made an appeal that Europe should take advantage of Brexit in order to become a real protagonist on the world stage, given that the presence of the United Kingdom proved to be an obstacle in certain fields, mentioning in this sense the security and common defence policy. 

An agreement is highly desirable through which the European Union can keep a close relationship with the United Kingdom and in equal measure it would be good for the latter not to sever its ties with the community block, the former Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs recommended.