The use of EU summits to frame political victories or defeats is an annoying habit.

I have always considered it to be a minor miracle that after the war, people in Europe's border regions were able to forget everything and, in accordance with the slogan "Never Again War," develop a program that still works today.

But it is the best thing that we have for bringing the countries of Europe around the same table and for forging compromises so that people here can live in peace, freedom and prosperity. In a world which is growing closer together all the time, we can only survive and influence the rules if we join forces. We will miss the presence of the United Kingdom at this table.

I have another explanation [of Brexit]: In its 43 years of EU membership, Britain has never been able to decide whether it wants to fully or only partially belong to the EU.

Yesterday's shining heroes of Brexit have become the sorrowful heroes of today.

You can't deepen the European Union against the wishes of the European countries.

You can consider this carved in stone: I rule out becoming Herman Van Rompuy's successor.