EU must take some blame for Brexit, says Polish minister

THE European Union must undergo “deep reform” and shoulder some responsibility for the Brexit vote if it hopes to keep the bloc together, Poland’s foreign minister has warned.

Jacek Czaputowicz said Britain’s decision to quit the bloc was partly due to “deficiencies” in EU institutions, and that Brussels needed to accept this rather than seek to “punish” the country.

“Brexit is a result of a sovereign decision of the British but also the wrong policies of the European Union and of deficiencies existing here in European institutions,” Mr Czaputowicz told the The Daily Telegraph.

“We are definitely against attempts to condemn or punish the British for their decisions. We see this attitude and it is not acceptable to us.”

He added that Poland would support Theresa May if she asked for more time to conclude the Brexit negotiations due to bitter divisions in her party.

“Every solution that increases the chance of a good deal for both sides will be supported by Poland, our position already is very open towards legitimate expectations of the UK,” he said.

Poland is one of Mrs May’s closest allies within the European Union and in the past has frequently taken Britain’s side in disputes with the EU.

Though Poland has remained loyal to Brussels in the Brexit talks so far, Mr Czaputowicz’s comments reflect Warsaw’s unease at the hardline stance adopted by France and Germany.

Mr Czaputowicz said Brexit was just one area where the bloc was falling short of its own values, accusing the EU of “double standards” in how it treats member states.