Quote:
Originally Posted by OLD BOY
It was not meant as a joke.
The UK has clearly been trying to keep things on an even keel - only shortly before this dinner, Theresa May was telling us all that there would be no running commentary, and clearly she was attempting to pitch this in a more sensible and professional way. Then Junker comes out with this nonsense - Theresa had no option but to respond.
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Have you heard the speech or just read a transcript? The delivery was as a joke. Anyhow, here's what he actually said in the English portion of his speech;
Quote:
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I always have the same problem: I am always hesitating between two or three languages – leaving aside Luxembourgish because there are only few people able to speak and to understand Luxembourgish. I am hesitating between English and French, but I made my choice: I will express myself in French, because slowly but surely English is losing importance in Europe [laughter in the room]. And also because the French will have elections next Sunday, and I would like them to understand what I am saying about Europe and about nations.
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Source -
http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release...17-1238_fr.htm
Are you sure about the May keeping an even keel? She has had her foreign secretary comparing the French to prison guards administering punishment beatings (backed up by Number 10) and a senior Tory peer stating we would go to war with Spain (not condemned by Number 10)