Ursula von der Leyen: No-deal Brexit a bad solution for both sides

(Patria) – The newly elected President of the European Commission stated that a no-deal Brexit could have 'enormous negative consequences' for both the United Kingdom and the EU.

She also believes that in that case, Brussels should provide support to countries like Ireland, which would be the first to be affected by such an outcome.

In an exclusive interview with the British Guardian, von der Leyen said that the agreement reached between Theresa May and the EU's Brexit negotiator, Michael Barnier, should remain the basis for any future talks.   

'We do not want a no-deal Brexit, it would be a bad outcome for both sides. We have a good withdrawal agreement,' von der Leyen said.

Both candidates for the position of British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt, have promised to continue negotiations with the EU with the aim of reaching an exit agreement.

Regarding the existing withdrawal agreement, von der Leyen claims it 'is not dead': 'It is a good agreement, negotiated according to the rules and in line with the red lines drawn by the British government.'

She reiterated her earlier statement that the EU should consider extending the current Brexit deadline of October 31, if there are 'good reasons' for doing so.

- We must achieve an 'orderly' Brexit. And therefore, if there are good reasons for an extension of the deadline by our British friends, I am open to hearing them, said the new Commissioner, adding that it 'would be wrong to view Brexit as the end of something. The way we handle Brexit will determine our future relationship with our neighbour, the United Kingdom. The greatest interest for both sides is a correct and good start to our future relations,' Ursula von der Leyen stated in the interview with the Guardian.