Dear English citizens and friends,

June 23, 2016 will remain in History as a sad day for all of us.

On this day you choose to leave a club called European Union (EU). It is a club of nations who try to build and rebuild a space where capital and people are free to come and go safely. But to reach this goal a strong unified Europe is needed, capable to face the challenges of a more and more globalized world.

I can understand your complaints against this club. It’s not a cool one. Not even efficient. There are always a lot of discussions if not palaver to reach agreements (or not) between the member states.

And it costs money to everybody. A bunch of money. The annual member fee to this club is very high. As a tax payer I can assure you I feel it when I have to fill in my tax declaration.

However, this club deserves to exist. Because there are benefits for everybody.

The key problem is that nobody enough and constantly highlights those benefits neither EU yet the 1^st concerned, and unfortunately even not our politicians.

And when local problems rise these latter rapidly and easily transfer the responsibility to the EU. It is always the fault of the EU.

The fact is that EU and politicians live very far from the citizens.

No one comes to us to show or to explain. And when the politicians come to us because they need our votes, they tell us lies and/or half-truths.

Through centuries, sometimes allied, sometimes not, we have written common History together. For almost 7 decades now there is no more major war in Europe. Among others, this club helped to prevent conflicts. Peace is undoubtedly the main and the first benefit.

The removal of barriers by harmonization on different aspects of our lives between the member states is another benefit. It implies new rules and however sometimes loss of sovereignty.

I can understand that this latter is maybe for you something indigestible. You are and remain insular people. To make things on your own, to be independent is in your genes.

Be cool. I do not blame you. It is just a matter of fact. And even I admire this state of mind but do not turn your back to us, continental people.

Think also at all the subsides for poor economic regions through the countries. United Kingdom is also beneficiary for this.

Finally, your leave is like a break in a family. Because after 43 years together we became a family. Like families we have sometimes disputes, unruly children, …

This is not a farewell letter I send to you. It is maybe a kind of a love letter. It is mainly just a call to common sense.

I do not despair that one day we will be back together. I hope here on the continent that there will be wise men to let the door always open for you.

See you later.

02/07/2016