European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has bade an emotional farewell to the UK by quoting Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet after the two struck a post-Brexit trade agreement.
“At the end of a successful negotiation’s journey I normally feel joy. But today I only feel quiet satisfaction and, frankly speaking, relief,” she told an EU press conference.
“I know this is a difficult day for some and to our friends in the United Kingdom I want to say: ‘Parting is such sweet sorrow.’”
She continued: “But to use a line from TS Eliot: ‘What we call the beginning is often the end. And to make an end, is to make a beginning.’
“So to all the Europeans I say: ’It is time to leave Brexit behind. Our future is made in Europe.’”
Von der Leyen added: “No deal in the world can change reality or gravity in today’s economy and today’s world. We are one of the giants.”
Her poignant words were echoed by chief negotiator Michel Barnier, who told the press conference: “Today is a day of relief, tempered by some sadness as we compare what came before with what lies ahead.”
Juliet’s character speaks the line “parting is such sweet sorrow” to her lover, Romeo, in Shakespeare’s tragedy. The pair are both eventually killed.
