London: Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said he wants a “Breturn” rather than Brexit after discussing co-operation between the UK and EU in talks with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on his visit to Warsaw.
Tusk, who was president of the European Council when Britain voted to leave the trading bloc, said he would “harbour these dreams in my heart” as “sometimes they come true in politics.”
The UK prime minister, who had a bilateral meeting with his counterpart on Friday, has repeatedly ruled out rejoining the customs union or single market but said he wants to deepen post-Brexit ties with Brussels. In an awkward moment for Starmer as he stood alongside Tusk at a joint press conference later, the Polish premier said: “I’m sure you will recall when we learned about the results of the Brexit referendum.
“My first emotional reaction was to say: ‘I already miss you.’ I remember our press briefings as if it was yesterday. I already miss you, that’s what I said. This is not just about emotions and sentiments - I am aware this is a dream of mine, that instead of a Brexit we will have a Breturn.”
During the press conference, Starmer did not himself go into detail about Brexit, but stressed the need for close co-operation among European allies on issues including people smuggling and security. He did however exchange warm words with his counterpart, telling Tusk: “Poland currently holds the presidency of the EU Council. I want to congratulate you, Donald, on making European security the focus of your presidency, because this is the issue of our time.” (PA Media/dpa)
