Roundup: EU's Juncker welcomes British PM's Brexit speech, doubles down on European vision

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said Wednesday that he welcomed British Prime Minister Theresa May's speech on Brexit.

The comment came when Juncker addressed the European Parliament during its plenary session here.

May confirmed on Tuesday that Britain would leave the European Union (EU) single market, which guarantees the four rights of freedom of movement of goods, capital, services and people, while insisting it wanted to remain "the best friend and neighbor" to European partners.

However, Juncker stipulated that "a speech alone could not trigger negotiations. Once the UK has triggered Article 50, the negotiations will start, and they should be concluded within two years."

Until May's speech, much secrecy had surrounded the negotiation strategies Downing Street hoped to employ ever since the country voted last June to leave the EU. In Tuesday's address at Westminster, the head of the British government confirmed that Britain would not seek a "half-in, half-out" solution.

May's government indicated it would trigger Article 50, the formal procedure by which an EU member state notifies the European Council that it intends to leave the bloc, by the end of March.

Meanwhile, Juncker stressed, "the negotiations are going to be of great significance to that country, but also to the 27 member states."

"I will do everything to make sure that the negotiations will be according to the rules and will yield good results," he promised.

The president of the European Commission decided to double-down on the European vision, using his speech on Wednesday to emphasize solidarity and renewal in Europe.

"We need to show those people that think this is the time to deconstruct Europe, to let it fall apart, we have to show them that they're wrong," insisted Juncker. "On their own, no country will be able to organize the economy, fight unemployment, welcome in migrants and fight terrorism."

Greeting the Maltese presidency of the Council of the EU, Juncker offered partnership.

"The Maltese presidency can count on the support of the European Commission," he declared, "so that we can stand together and...have a clear vision for the future, so that we can refound Europe, if you will."

The commission president also addressed other matters, such as managing the ongoing migrant crisis via speedy reform of the Dublin rules, and the creation of a "credible and long-term solution" to asylum policy.

"This is a matter of the honor of Europe," he asserted. "Europe must protect its borders while at the same time having an asylum policy that is marked by solidarity." Endit