Now it is firstly a matter of a clean divorce, because citizens and companies need legal certainty. Can there be a new partnership with the United Kingdom one day? All 27 Member States would have to agree to that. And the United Kingdom would first have to reflect on what it wants itself.

I have no doubt that the U.S., even under Trump, will stick to the mutual defense commitment in the NATO treaty in the event of an emergency. Trump described NATO as being obsolete during his election campaign, but he made clear afterward that he considers the alliance to be an indispensable necessity.

In 1913 many believed that there would never again be a war in Europe. The great powers of the continent were so closely intertwined economically that the view was widespread that they could no longer afford to have military confrontations.

I'm not suffering from withdrawal symptoms. I would say that I have a balanced state of mind.

The problem is: When two governments or institutions in Europe hold differing opinions, it is immediately a crisis.

The European Union has decades of experience in overcoming crises and has always emerged stronger after.

We must go back to teach Europeans to love Europe.