European Council President Donald Tusk received formal notification for Brexit from London on March 29.
Tusk said the European Union is unhappy that Britain is leaving the bloc it has been a part of for more than four decades.
“There is no reason to pretend that this is a happy day, neither in Brussels nor in London. After all, most Europeans, including almost half the British voters, wished that we would stay together, not drift apart. As for me, I will not pretend that I am happy today,” said Tusk.
“There is nothing to win in this process and I’m talking about both sides. In essence, this is about damage control.”
But Tusk also said that the remaining 27 states have been brought closer by the experience.
“Paradoxically, there is also something positive in Brexit. Brexit has made us, the community of 27, more determined and more united than before,” he said.
He said the remaining members would protect their interests in “difficult negotiations” before Brexit in 2019.
Concluding his brief remarks to the media in Brussels, Tusk gave a bittersweet farewell to the UK, “We already miss you. Thank you and goodbye.”
