UK to keep ‘leading role’ in Europe: FM Johnson

Brussels / AFP

New British foreign minister and top Brexit backer Boris Johnson pledged on Monday Britain would continue to play a “leading role” in Europe as he met his European Union peers in Brussels for the first time.
The normally ebullient Johnson was on his best behaviour after infuriating his partners in the run-up to last month’s referendum by comparing the EU’s ambitions for closer integration to Adolf Hitler’s.
“We have to give effect to the will of the people and leave the European Union but… we are not going in any way to abandon our leading role in European participation,” Johnson said.
He said he had a “very good conversation” with EU foreign affairs head Federica Mogherini late Sunday — although a dinner with her was called off after his plane had to make an emergency landing. “I am very much looking forward to meeting my colleagues”.
US Secretary of State John Kerry, attending his first EU foreign ministers meeting, said Johnson had told his peers Britain intended to remain a “vital component” of Europe.
Kerry visits London in an effort to reaffirm the two sides’ shared history and values which the Brexit vote had not changed, he said.
Johnson was a key player in the June 23 Brexit referendum and his appointment last week stunned many in Europe, with French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault saying he had lied to voters during the campaign.
Ayrault, speaking on his arrival at the talks, said he had a “frank and useful” phone conversation with Johnson over the weekend. “There are lots of things to work on with Britain. I will always talk to Boris Johnson with the greatest sincerity, the greatest frankness” he said.