EP president hopes unity, dialogue prevails at Bratislava Summit

European Parliament (EP) President Martin Schulz on Friday expressed hope that unity and dialogue will prevail at the informal European Union (EU) summit in Bratislava.

"Following pre-summit bilateral talks I'm quite optimistic and hope that unity and dialogue will prevail at the summit in Bratislava," he said at a press conference.

Schulz called on EU leaders to show responsibility towards the EU and to refrain from criticizing it for decisions to which they themselves contributed.

The EP president said such criticism of Brussels at the national level is "detrimental" to the entire EU community, and he expects the summit in Bratislava to lead to closer cooperation between member states for the benefit of their citizens.

As for the migration crisis, Schulz said that if mandatory resettlement quotas for migrants fall by the wayside but an effective solution on a voluntary basis is found, he'll lend his support to it.

Regarding Brexit, Schulz pointed out that economic relations between Britain and the EU are mutually beneficial and that their disruption would be harmful for both sides.

However, real talks on economic ties between Brussels and London can take place only after Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty is activated and Britain officially applies to leave the Union. Endit