Furious about Brexit, Tusk calls for EU unity from Dublin

 

FILE PHOTO: European Council President Donald Tusk holds a news conference at a European Union leaders summit in Brussels, Belgium, March 23, 2018. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir

 

DUBLIN (Reuters) - European Council President Donald Tusk confessed he gets furious about Brexit, describing Britain's departure from the EU as very sad on Tuesday as he used a speech in Dublin to call for unity in Europe.

 

The former Polish prime minister, who chairs meetings of the European Union's national leaders, cited his dislike of Brexit in a list of things that helped him identify with the Irish.

 

Receiving an honour at University College Dublin, he listed his Gaelic forename as well as his love of rugby, Irish rock band U2 and the country's writers.

 

"Last but not least: I don't like Brexit. Actually, that's an understatement," he said to loud applause. "I believe Brexit is one of the saddest moments in 21st-century European history.

 

"In fact, sometimes I am even furious about it."

 

Ireland's economic ties to Britain, which lies between it and the rest of Europe, and fears for stability in the British province of Northern Ireland, have led Dublin leaders to call Brexit a major threat to Irish prosperity.

 

Referring to a shared experience of painful history in Poland and Ireland, Tusk said that after building the EU the continent was facing the threat of new divisions.

 

He noted his own feud with the current Polish government and worries over peace in Northern Ireland afterBrexit, as well as Balkan frictions, Catalonia's dispute with Madrid, Greece and Cyprus's problems with Turkey and arguments over irregular immigration that has put EU states at odds with each other.

 

"All we need to do is find each other again, count how many we are and reunite," Tusk said, citing a Gaelic proverb that "There is no strength without unity".

 

In remarks carrying a veiled criticism of his Polish opponents and of newly re-elected Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, both accused by critics of straying from Europe's democratic values, Tusk repeated a warning that abusing civil liberties would jeopardise unity and strength.

 

"Only a sovereign Europe guarantees independence for its nations, guarantees freedom for its citizens," he said. "It is ... important that we all respect our common rules such as human rights and civil liberties, freedom of speech and freedom of assembly, checks and balances, and the rule of law. This is the true foundation of our unity."

 

(Reporting by Alastair Macdonald in Brussels; editing by David Stamp)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-04-11

What a nasty little worm of a man 

I was stopped by an opinion pollster when I just came out of the shops last week--  "Do you think Brexit will affect you much?"

"Massively" I replied. "There are 3 cars in our family and I'm probably going to have to wash them all,"

 

Hopefully Hungary will put a big spoiler in this idiots works too 

The EU elite are too arrogant to learn the lessons from Brexit and the increasing hostility from Eastern Europe. They firefight instead of providing solutions to the EU structural problems.

Why be furious about Brexit?  If membership of the EU is so brilliant he should perhaps be saddened that a European nation would no longer be part of it and reap the benefits of membership.

Sounds like reality is finally setting in as the re-moaners efforts increasingly fall on deaf ears.

Silly little man. Get lost.

If only britain had leaders of tusk's ability, dignity and intelligence.

4 minutes ago, Expatthailover said:

If only britain had leaders of tusk's ability, dignity and intelligence.

 

I generally like Tusk. He seems a decent, intelligent thoughtful person who isn't easily browbeaten by some of the EU hawks whose anti British rhetoric and desire for conflict he does his best to negate.

 

However, along with many more EU politicians, he has to accept that not everyone in every member state accepts his vision of a sovereign EU with the EU being more like the United States of Europe. So far that "vision" has never been specifically put to the people of the EU in a direct vote. It's been a slowly slowly move in that direction approach with no specific 'ask the people" referendum. The growth in nationalist movements throughout the EU will make them even less willing to ask the people. After all, as Schaubler once said, elections shouldn't be allowed to change things!

 

If Tusk was really dignified, ethical and honest, he'd have backed the former French Foreign Minister when he called for an EU referendum to test people's desire for more closer unity, centralization and federalism.

2 hours ago, terryw said:

The EU elite are too arrogant to learn the lessons from Brexit and the increasing hostility from Eastern Europe. They firefight instead of providing solutions to the EU structural problems.

I agree with that. The threat of Brexit should be a wake-up call for the EU.  There were serious faults with the way the EU had evolved before we had the referendum and it needed a re-think on several of it's regulations.  Whilst I am still a remoaner/remainer, I do recognise that the EU needs reforming.

 

It is just that I think those reforms should be fought for from within.   

17 minutes ago, Expatthailover said:

If only britain had leaders of tusk's ability, dignity and intelligence.

If only Britain had leaders....  That would be a start!

Tusk says:

 

"Only a sovereign Europe guarantees independence for its nations, guarantees freedom for its citizens," he said. "It is ... important that we all respect our common rules such as human rights and civil liberties, freedom of speech and freedom of assembly, checks and balances, and the rule of law. This is the true foundation of our unity."

 

Independence for its nations: Catalonia?? Why does the UK need a guarantee from the EU?

Freedom for its citizens: corpus juris and the EAW (European Arrest Warrant)??

Rule of law: as long as it's their law (ECJ) that is primary.

 

What a total crock!

 

the gravey train is about to hit the buffers and this no hoper tusk is angry as he will have to find a proper job and no more freebys..how did this cretin get into this position ?

6 hours ago, animalmagic said:

Why be furious about Brexit?  If membership of the EU is so brilliant he should perhaps be saddened that a European nation would no longer be part of it and reap the benefits of membership.

From the OP-

 

"Last but not least: I don't like Brexit. Actually, that's an understatement," he said to loud applause. "I believe Brexit is one of the saddest moments in 21st-century European history.

 

"In fact, sometimes I am even furious about it."

4 hours ago, dunroaming said:

I agree with that. The threat of Brexit should be a wake-up call for the EU.  There were serious faults with the way the EU had evolved before we had the referendum and it needed a re-think on several of it's regulations.  Whilst I am still a remoaner/remainer, I do recognise that the EU needs reforming.

 

It is just that I think those reforms should be fought for from within.   

"It is just that I think those reforms should be fought for from within."

 

We tried fighting from within Dun, sadly it didn't work, they were so arrogant and thought nobody would dare leave their little jolly boys club.

43 minutes ago, Slip said:

From the OP-

 

"Last but not least: I don't like Brexit. Actually, that's an understatement," he said to loud applause. "I believe Brexit is one of the saddest moments in 21st-century European history.

My most saddest moment reflects how many unqualified, unnecessary, unelected beaurocrats like Tuski and Juncker seem to be able to decide what is good for other countries and what they should, or should not be able to do.

 

We, in return - should tell them to 'Foxtrot Romeo Oscar!' 

10 minutes ago, Bundooman said:

My most saddest moment reflects how many unqualified, unnecessary, unelected beaurocrats like Tuski and Juncker seem to be able to decide what is good for other countries and what they should, or should not be able to do.

 

We, in return - should tell them to 'Foxtrot Romeo Oscar!' 

I'm ambivalent.  In my heart I guess I am a 'remoaner' as you guys like to call them, but I don't know the future any more than the rest of you.  We will have to wait and see.  What strikes me is the nature of those who championed leave- the tories, UKIP,  that slug Boris and the Putin aligned traitor Farage.  Nothing those people believe in is for the good of the average Brit man on the street.

8 hours ago, Slip said:

I'm ambivalent.  In my heart I guess I am a 'remoaner' as you guys like to call them, but I don't know the future any more than the rest of you.  We will have to wait and see.  What strikes me is the nature of those who championed leave- the tories, UKIP,  that slug Boris and the Putin aligned traitor Farage.  Nothing those people believe in is for the good of the average Brit man on the street.

Putin aligned traitor Farage

 

In what way do you think he is aligned with Putin? Please find some evidence and explain you ill thought out presumptions.

9 hours ago, Slip said:

From the OP-

 

"Last but not least: I don't like Brexit. Actually, that's an understatement," he said to loud applause. "I believe Brexit is one of the saddest moments in 21st-century European history.

 

"In fact, sometimes I am even furious about it."

Apologies, I should have read until the end, mea culpa.  But in my defence, it is difficult to do so every time when there are so many things to read on here 

He believes it is the saddest moment; maybe he will be proven correct.....or wrong.

17 hours ago, dunroaming said:

I agree with that. The threat of Brexit should be a wake-up call for the EU.  There were serious faults with the way the EU had evolved before we had the referendum and it needed a re-think on several of it's regulations.  Whilst I am still a remoaner/remainer, I do recognise that the EU needs reforming.

 

It is just that I think those reforms should be fought for from within.   

I too had hoped that the brexit result would lead to meaningful eu reform (giving the british voters a good reason to change their mind).

 

Unfortunately the over-paid leaders and bureaucrats have made it very clear they have no intention of reducing their gravy train or power - making it even more obvious that 'change from within' was never a possibility .

12 hours ago, Slip said:

I'm ambivalent.  In my heart I guess I am a 'remoaner' as you guys like to call them, but I don't know the future any more than the rest of you.  We will have to wait and see.  What strikes me is the nature of those who championed leave- the tories, UKIP,  that slug Boris and the Putin aligned traitor Farage.  Nothing those people believe in is for the good of the average Brit man on the street.

The tories didn't 'champion' leave - they supported remain.

 

"the Putin aligned traitor Farage" comment isn't worthy off a response - other than I was taken by suprise to read that he'd supported brexit.  Do you have any evidence to support this claim? 

Referring to Farage as either a traitor, or as Putin aligned is basically comical.

 

It is quite clear that what Farage did, ultimately, is force an elitist political class into a position where they had no option but to ask the general population whether or not they supported the status-quo. By a small majority, it is clear they did not - and as such Farage deserves to be seen as a patriot. Not as a hero, or a villain - but a Patriot. He did no more and no less than require government to abide by the principles of true Democracy, as opposed to the usual principle of representational government. He stated he would accept the outcome, if it went against his personal position. It went for him. The man, like it or not, is a Patriot. If you want to see him as a wrecking-ball at the same time, fine - but in no world is he a traitor.

28 minutes ago, dick dasterdly said:

The tories didn't 'champion' leave - they supported remain.

 

"the Putin aligned traitor Farage" comment isn't worthy off a response - other than I was taken by suprise to read that he'd supported brexit.  Do you have any evidence to support this claim? 

My mistake - I'd confused Assange and Farage! (embarrassed emoticon)!

 

Even so, I take issue with "the Putin aligned traitor Farage".

15 hours ago, Slip said:

From the OP-

 

"Last but not least: I don't like Brexit. Actually, that's an understatement," he said to loud applause. "I believe Brexit is one of the saddest moments in 21st-century European history.

 

"In fact, sometimes I am even furious about it."

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4uivPpzCGo

 

Perhaps he should buy one of these.

 

 

7 hours ago, chrissables said:

Putin aligned traitor Farage

 

In what way do you think he is aligned with Putin? Please find some evidence and explain you ill thought out presumptions.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/10/russian-influence-brexit-vote-detailed-us-senate-report

Donald your not alone my £ says the same.

2 hours ago, Slip said:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/10/russian-influence-brexit-vote-detailed-us-senate-report

Very funny and ill thought out by the re-moaners newspaper. Farage has been anti EU for 20 odd years, it's no secret, it's why he went into politics.

Edited April 12, 20188 yr by chrissables

5 hours ago, Slip said:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/10/russian-influence-brexit-vote-detailed-us-senate-report

 

I noted in the report, possibly, perhaps, allegations, ‘’systematically one-sided coverage’’, (a bit like the Guardian itself), but nothing concrete.

 

As for "The report also points to the vast flow of Russian money into the UK, including the London property market. It records how the Metropolitan police noted that a total value of £180m in properties in the UK had been put under investigation as possibly purchased with corrupt proceeds by secretive offshore companies."

 

Depending on where you buy in London that will buy you somewhere between one and a dozen houses only.

Tusk..an overpaid jobsworth in the back pocket of likes if Soros..Goldman Sachs etc etc
Imo..just another despicable brussels oddity

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