Foreign Minister: The unity of the European Union is crucial

The two biggest challenges for the European Union in 2017 will be handling the negotiations with Britain on leaving the EU and setting up relations with the administration of new US President Donald Trump. Those are the words of the Slovak Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajčák, who told the SITA news agency that the worst scenario would be if Europe was not able to stand united in the upcoming negotiations. On the contrary, according to Lajčák it would be best for the EU to see this geopolitical situation as an opportunity. In relation to the ongoing Brexit negotiations, the Slovak Foreign Minister stated: "We're sorry, but the logic is simple. If someone leaves, and leaves with a better deal than when he was inside, this will be the beginning of the disintegration of the EU." Therefore, according to Lajčák, the EU must be united in its views and not end up negotiating separately. Lajčák believes that the way in which the European Union manages the process of Britain leaving its circles, and sets up relations with the US with Donald Trump in office, will show whether the EU has the ambition and ability to be a global player.