Remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini at the joint press point with US Secretary of State John Kerry:
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Thank you very much. John, it is a pleasure to welcome you in Brussels, in times that are difficult, as we all know, for all of us, first of all for the British people but also for the Europeans and for our partners.
Your visit here in Brussels today is extremely important for us Europeans, all of us. As we discussed today, our partnership stays strong and crucial, not only for the benefits of our people but also for peace and security in the world. Today was an excellent opportunity for us to discuss the current situation, the way forward.
I will not enter into details in that respect, but I want to reaffirm the strength of our partnership, the strength of the European Union’s role with partners around the world and the continuation of our common work, first of all in our region.
We work together, as you know, very closely in the Quartet for the Middle East, and we had a chance of exchanging views on the Quartet Report that we are finalising; we are working together on Syria and the International Support Group, we work together on Libya and on so many other issues.
And we will meet again twice in the coming weeks: at the NATO Summit where we will also have high level meetings at the margins, and Secretary Kerry will be with us at the Foreign Affairs Council in July, here in Brussels on the 18 – this was already planned so it is not an extraordinary invitation, it is something that we had already planned before and that he confirmed today – to continue working together very closely on all issues.
Obviously we discussed together, also with President Juncker, the situation that opens up with the result of the referendum in the UK. You know very well we are having a college of the Commissioners meeting this afternoon, we are having the European Council with Heads of State and of Government tomorrow and the day after tomorrow. We will discuss the way forward, first of all with David Cameron and obviously with all the other 27 Heads of State and Government.
It is important for us to keep our US friends, and John in particular, completely informed of all the procedures, all the consequences; where we are and where we are going and walk this difficult moment together, hand in hand, as friends do.
As I know that he is travelling to London later today, I would pass this clear message: the European Union is strong as before, I have to say, the European Union can be even stronger in the future. We will continue to work together in this respect. Thank you.
