'Brexit is NOT a priority for us' EU leader has DIG at UK during speech on 'Schengen army'
THE Estonian Prime Minister - whose country has just finished its EU presidency tenure - had a dig at the UK in his final speech of hosting the bloc's summits.
Estonian Prime Minister Juri Ratas said that Brexit was "not a priority" for Europe during his tenure at the presidency of the Council of the European Union.
The subtle dig came towards the end of his remarks summing up Estonia's role in the rotating presidency, during which he laid out the plans for the EU army and treasury union.
Speaking alongside European Council President Donald Tusk and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, he said the "doom and gloom from 18 months ago was gone".
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Mr Ratas said: "Here at this summit, we had agreed on close defence cooperation which will help make Europe more secure and help make our European residents secure.
"This will inspire our security industries to work together across borders, best shown in the proposal for a military Schengen zone.
"We have also moved forward on our plans for a European monetary union, but it will be a long road.
"The economy is the strongest its been for a decade, growth in every member-state, unemployment is down."
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Brexit has not been on our priority list
He added: "Far from the doom and gloom experienced just 18 months ago, we are more united than ever.
"Brexit has not been on our priority list, but it remains in our hearts. Divorce is always very sad and difficult and it will impact us all."
Estonia's presidency of the Council of the European Union will end on Dec. 31, after which Bulgaria will take over the rotating presidency.
Mr Tusk paid a special tribute to the Estonian leadership: "I wish to thank the Estonian presidency, Prime Minister Juri Ratas and his excellent team for the great work."
