We must also take this opportunity to learn from the situation [of Brexit], just as we learned from the refugee and debt crises.

With their charm and legendary sense of humor, the British directly or indirectly paved the way for a large number of European compromises.

I am chilled by the realization of how similar circumstances in Europe in 2013 are to those of 100 years ago.

I put my money on Brexit. The EU Financial Stability Commissioner, Jonathan Hill from Britain, still owes me a pound.

I said in my inaugural address that I am not the Council's secretary, nor am I the Parliament's lackey. That can sometimes lead to conflicts, which are defused through dialogue.

[Boris]Johnson, [Nigel] Farage, they are retro-nationalists, not patriots. Patriots don't abandon ship when the going gets tough. They stay on board.

It's important to recognize that we in Europe will either succeed together or fail together.