'It has united the EU' Portuguese MEP claims Brexit has brought the bloc CLOSER together

Ana Gomes insisted that the European Union is more ‘united’ after Britain voted to leave the bloc. 

The MEP claimed that Britain’s decision last year has brought the Brussels bloc closer together as Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel plan to take the EU forward. 

Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, Ms Gomes said that Brexit was upsetting but rejected a hard Brexit, calling for a deal to be agreed. 

She said: “We now have to negotiate a divorce as civilised as possible, that will not bring too much harm to both parties Britain and of course the EU. 

“Who, in a way has helped the EU get united, unfortunately [for the UK].”

The MEP, who is also a member of the Portuguese Socialist Party urged the bloc and the UK to find a solution. 

“I don’t want in any way a hard Brexit whatever some people like Theresa May may think,” she added.  

“The idea of a no deal is the worst of the solutions of both Britain and the EU, I don’t want to see that so let’s talk. 

“Let’s get together and negotiate in a civilised way to reach a civilised solution for the divorce.”

Ms Gomes is a full member of the Committee on Justice and Home Affairs, the Subcommittee on Security and Defence and is part of the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament. 

The Portuguese MEP described ‘no deal’ as a “nightmare scenario” and reiterated that a deal needed to be reached between both sides in negotiations. 

She continued: “This would put in a panic many companies, many citizens, it could be quite chaotic for Britain.

It wouldn’t be easy for the EU but obviously, the EU has much more capacity to get over the consequences [of Britain leaving the EU]. 

“I wouldn’t think [Britain leaving the EU without a deal] would be possible.”  

Ms Gomes finished by mocking the idea that the EU would attempt to punish the UK for its decision and argued that the relationship would still be strong between Britain and the bloc after Brexit. 

“It’s clear that any revenge attitude on the part of the continental Europe would be met with similar reaction from the other side,” she said.

“I don’t think this is civilised, I don’t think this is in the interests of our people. 

“Whatever happens we will continue to be neighbours, we will have a very strong intense human relationship, between Britain and the countries of the EU. 

“We have citizens living in Britain, there are British citizens living in the EU. Nobody can risk that kind of childish and mean revenge attitude.” 

In a survey conducted by YouGov, three out of five Brexiteers and one in three Remainers said they would not mind if the economy sustained “significant damage” to see Britain finally leave the Brussels club.

A large number (61 per cent) of Leave voters said they think that “significant damage to the British economy to be a price worth paying for bringing Britain out of the European Union”.

The comments from the Portuguese MEP come as the bloc is embroiled in a confrontation with Poland. 

Brussels is threatening to strip away Poland’s right to vote on EU matters, unless the ruling party drops controversial plans to exert more control over the judiciary. 

Despite the Law and Justice party getting into a fight with EU bosses, it does not advocate taking Poland out of the EU.