1st LD: EU's Juncker unveils plans for post-Brexit bloc

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on Wednesday unveiled his plans on a "new chapter" of Europe, ushering in an era of soul-searching for the bloc hit hard by Brexit.

Addressing the European Parliament's plenary session, Juncker said the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome "will not simply be a birthday of celebration, it will also be a birth moment of the EU at 27".

"Let's turn the page and commence a new chapter in our history," he said.

The white paper, aiming to seek "avenues for unity" for the EU's remaining 27 member states, was hammered out by the College of Commissioners on Wednesday after a spate of debates, seminars and meetings that have been taking place since Feb. 22.

The white paper came weeks before British Prime Minister Theresa May is expected to activate the Article 50 clause in Britain's EU membership by the end of March.

Article 50 refers to the formal procedure by which an EU member state notifies the European Council that it intends to leave the block.

This year is regarded as a crunch time for the EU, as several member states are set to hold general elections and euroskeptic leaders have the upper hand in the polls in some European nations such as the Netherlands. Endit