BRUSSELS, March 10 (Xinhua) -- European Council President Donald Tusk urged member states of the European Union (EU) to strive towards maintaining political unity after Brexit as the debate over a multi-speed Europe is getting fierce.
Tusk chaired the debate on the future of Europe on Friday with all EU leaders, with the exception British Prime Minister Theresa May, who are gathered in Brussels for a two-day summit which ends on Friday.
"When discussing the various scenarios for Europe, our main objective should be to strengthen mutual trust and unity among 27," Tusk said at a press conference with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on Friday.
"After today's debate, I can openly say that all 27 leaders agree with this objective. This was an optimistic discussion about our common future, with a positive approach from all sides, without any exception," Tusk added.
The debate on a 'multi-speed' Europe gained momentum after the publication of the European Commission's White Paper and a meeting of leaders of continental Europe's biggest economies who back the idea of differentiated integration for EU member states.
Some EU member states, such as France, Germany, Spain and Italy are calling for a multi-speed Europe, in which some could deepen their integration faster than others. However, the bloc's eastern members fear that they would be excluded from deeper integration in the future and are against the idea.
"I understand the reasons for this," Tusk said, "Some expect systemic changes that would loosen intra-EU ties and strengthen the role of nations in relation to the community. Others, quite the opposite, are looking for new, deeper dimensions of integration, even if they would apply only to some member states."
"However, considering the interests of the community of 27 countries in the context of the upcoming Brexit negotiations, as well as the long-term strategic interests of the EU, I will be urging everyone to strive towards maintaining political unity among the 27," Tusk said.
On March 25, Europe will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome, the event that started the process of European integration.
The bloc expected to renew its vision at the Rome Summit, but EU member states currently are wildly divided on which direction the bloc should take.
