Let's move on: EU wants to keep big role after Brexit

As United Kingdom prepared to bring to an end its 47-year EU membership, bloc's top officials on Friday pledged to continue playing a prominent role “in ever-louder cacophony of world," despite loss of a powerful affiliate.

In a text published by several European media outlets, EU commission president Ursula von der Leyen, Parliament president David Sassoli and Council president Charles Michel expressed ir regrets but also sounded er to turn p, saying U.K.'s departure marks “a new dawn for Europe."

U.K. officially leaves continental alliance at midnight Brussels time.

“How much stronger we are when we are toger," presidents of three EU institutions wrote. “This is why Member States of Europe will continue to join forces and build a common future. In an of great power competition and turbulent geopolitics, size matters. country alone can hold back tide of climate change, find solutions to digital future or have a strong voice in ever-louder cacophony of world. But toger, European Union can."

main immediate task for EU after Brexit is w to negotiate new agreements with Britain in a vast array of topics including tre, data sharing and security. Until at least end of year, EU rules and laws will continue to apply in Britain as country will remain in single market. Both parties hope y can find a satisfactory agreement for ir future relationship kicking in after this transition period ends.

“We need to look to future and build a new partnership between enduring friends," Sassoli, von der Leyen and Michel said. “Toger, our three institutions will do everything in ir power to make it a success. We are rey to be ambitious."

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is amant that he won't agree to extend Brexit transition beyond end of 2020, even if a deal has t been struck. But EU officials and several member states have warned it would be difficult to secure a comprehensive agreement in time, and that Britain should rar stay close to EU standards in future to avoid new tre hurdles.

“How close that partnership will be depends on decisions that are still to be taken," EU officials underlined. “Because every choice has a consequence. Without free movement of people, re can be free movement of capital, goods and services. Without a level playing field on environment, labour, taxation and state aid, re cant be highest quality access to single market. Without being a member, you cant retain benefits of membership."

trio of officials boasted about EU's collective strength and ir determination to assume leership on topics such as climate change in coming years. As part of her Green Deal, von der Leyen has promised to make Europe first carbon-neutral continent by 2050.

Sassoli, von der Leyen and Michel also sent a friendly mess to Britain, first country ever to leave bloc.

“Whilst U.K. will cease to be an EU member, it will remain part of Europe. Our shared geography, history and ties in so many areas inevitably bind us and make us natural allies," y said. “We will continue to work toger on foreign affairs, security and defense with a common purpose and shared mutual interests. But we will do it in different ways."