Europe to Britain: So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, adieu
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[January 30, 2020]
ATHENS/MADRID (Reuters) - With
sorrow, some support for Brexit and even hope of a return, Europeans
from across the EU's 27 remaining members bade farewell to the United
Kingdom on the eve of its historic departure.
The United Kingdom leaves the European Union an hour before midnight on
Friday, casting off into an uncertain future that also challenges
Europe's post-World War Two project of forging unity from the ruins of
conflict.
"Farewell, bye bye my love!" said Rudolf Stockey, speaking to Reuters in
German.
From across Europe, EU citizens wished the United Kingdom the best after
47 years of membership. Some expressed hopes that the British might one
day return to the European fold.
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"Come back. I have no idea. We are not so different," said Madrid
resident Marcos Leon.
Some expressed concern that one of Europe's biggest powers was leaving
the club.
"I am very sorry that the United Kingdom is exiting. I think it is a
very, very bad thing for Europe, for the United Kingdom, for
everything," said Sara Invitto, from Milan. "Goodbye!"
"I think it's a great waste," said Belgian Francois Heimans, who
expressed worry over populism.
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![](../images/013020pics/news_q29.jpg)
British members of the chamber pose for a photograph during their
last plenary session at the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium
January 30, 2020. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir
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But some in Greece and Poland said the British were doing the right
thing.
"Have a good Brexit guys," said Petros Papakyriakos from Greece.
"They are doing what is right for their economy, and I think a lot
of countries will follow their lead."
Gdansk resident Henryk Kulesza said: "It's good that Great Britain
is leaving the European Union. It's about time. I think that Poland
should do the same thing."
(Writing by Guy Faulconbridge; Reporting across Europe by Antonio
Denti, Emily Roe, Christian Levaux, Ciara Luxton, Deborah
Kyvrikosaios, Vassilis Triandafyllou, Lewis Macdonald, Dominik
Starosz, Polly Rider, Ben Dadswel; Editing by Giles Elgood)
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