BRUSSELS (Sputnik) — President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker has reiterated his stance on Russia's significance for European security.
"There must be recognition of the fact that despite the tremendous disagreements with Russia, the view of architecture in the area of security in Europe would be erroneous without the diverse Russian contribution," Juncker has said at the Institute of Political Studies of Strasbourg.
The same day, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia is interested in the European Union as "a united, strong, predictable and friendly partner."
Previously, Juncker said that there was no security architecture in Europe without Moscow's participation in it.
READ MORE: Juncker: EU-Russia Ties Not Broken Beyond Repair, Must Be Mended
On Brexit Negotiations
Juncker has also commented on the Brexit negotiations and dismissed media reports, claiming that UK Prime Minister Theresa May begged for help during an unofficial dinner earlier in October.
"I had an excellent working dinner with Theresa May, she was in good shape, she was not tired, she was fighting as is her duty, so everything for me was OK," the Commission President stated.
Earlier in the day, the German FAZ newspaper reported, citing its sources, that May pleaded with Juncker for help, looking tired and discouraged.
The Brexit talks are expected to conclude by the end of March 2019. On Friday, a poll by BMG Research for the Independent newspaper showed that 76 percent of UK respondents, polled on October 17-20, believed the negations were failing.
