And last week Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker used a speech before the European Parliament to say that it was time for Europe to develop what he called Weltpolitikfähigkeit – a term he defined as "the capacity to play a role, as a Union, in shaping global affairs". In his words, "United, as a Union, Europe is a force to be reckoned with.
"16  4 Focus of the European Union Ladies and gentlemen, Brexit does indeed represent a step backwards on the European path. For the EU, the United Kingdom’s exit – whether it is a hard or a soft one – will be a painful loss.