Editorial: Brexit and us

The British after three years of wavering decided to ply their own course through Brexit and to break loose from the European Union.

By all appearances the impressive electoral victory of the eccentric and quirky Boris Johnson has cleared the deck and everyone now expects that by the end of January he will have the opportunity and ability to complete the Brexit process.

A second and possibly more crucial and difficult phase of negotiations will follow in order to redefine commercial and other relations between Britain and the EU.

It will be neither simple nor easy. It may create new tensions.

It will certainly create an opportunity for the 27-member EU to discuss its future prospects and to deal with internal differences.

Already one sees issues, problems, and fundamental differences.

The clash within the EU has transcended the longstanding dichotomy between member-states of the north and the south of Europe. It has evolved into a clash between West and East regarding how to deal with Russia, the role of Nato, human rights, and issues pertaining to liberty and justice.

Moreover, the completion of Brexit and Britain's withdrawal from the EU limits the defence role of the Union, as it ceases to be a nuclear power.

The French as is well known consider their nuclear weapons as a national asset not incorporated in Nato or the EU. Emmanuel Macron's voluntarism appears similar to Donald Trump's celebration of Brexit and has little to do with the European ideal.

It is certain that after the British elections there will be no EU enlargement. The western Balkans will be shut out and their stability may well be imperiled, with ramifications for the entire region.

One cannot be indifferent to the departure of the UK....