Cooperatives Europe expresses concerns about Brexit

Cooperatives Europe, the European representative organisation of cooperative enterprises, expresses its concern for United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union. “The decision of the UK to leave the European Union is a democratic one but is a huge challenge for the European Union. We will all be called to go back to our roots, to rediscover the values that lead the Founding Fathers of the EU to begin the European project and from there make it stronger” said Dirk J. Lehnhoff, President of Cooperatives Europe.

Looking at the work that our cooperative organisations carry out in Brussels, Brexit will inevitably leave traces behind: “Brexit does not put into question our successful collaboration with member organisation from the UK – continued Mr Lehnhoff – The cooperative movement has a long-standing tradition in the United Kingdom.  The UK, alongside France and other European countries, was at the heart of creating the International Co-operative Alliance and Cooperatives Europe. We express our strong solidarity with our British co-operative colleagues and commit to work together to foster the cooperative movement across the borders of Europe.  As a first signal of solidarity we welcome the offer from Co-operatives UK and its member, Midcounties Co-operative, to host a possible Board meeting of Cooperatives Europe in the United Kingdom.”