Brexit is not the future of the European Union” and cannot pose as an obstacle before EU’s progress, the head of European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker told the General Assembly of European Parliament in Strasbourg, France.

“Brexit cannot hinder our progress and it will not. The trade agreements and relations with international partners will determine the future of our union,” noted Jean-Claude Juncker.

According to him, the EU faces a number of strategic tasks, and Europeans should not abandon their reform plans. In particular, the immediate task is to develop a strategic plan for the coming years, which is to put on the agenda of the May EU summit in Sibiu, Romania, said Juncker. In addition, at the end of May, the new composition of the European Parliament will be determined, and by October it is necessary to take a decision on a new long-term draft of the European budget, the head of the European Commission added.

At the same time, according to him, it is necessary to ensure that the work of the EU does not stop, despite the ongoing process of harmonizing the conditions of the Brexit. When one of the states leaves the community, others should be able to make current decisions without it, Junker stressed.