| I believe that was a common refrain from Berlin in late 1940... |
"I am confident that these countries can also send a message that we won't let anyone take Europe from us," he said heading into a meeting in Berlin of his counterparts from the EU's six founding members.
His French counterpart Jean-Marc Ayrault urged quick negotiations on Britain's exit from the union, saying that the pressure would be "very strong" on British Prime Minister David Cameron at an EU summit on June 28 to speed up the process.
| That is right and indeed should be the way it's done: if I were in charge of the negotiations I'd start them at the time the appetizers are served and would have them wrapped up by dessert... |
Steinmeier called the European Union "a successful project of peace and stability"
| ...for the Germans... |
| You might ask the Greeks and Portuguese about that... |
"We must not rush headlong into hectic action, pretending we had all the answers. But we must also not fall into depression or inaction after the British decision."
Steinmeier hosted Ayrault, the Netherlands' Bert Koenders, Italy's Paolo Gentiloni, Belgium's Didier Reynders and Luxemburg's Jean Asselborn in a lakeside villa north of the city center.
Ayrault said he and Steinmeier, whose countries long represented the twin-engine of European integration, were working on joint proposals that could deepen cooperation among EU members that use the euro currency, or bolster security and defense coordination.
Steinmeier said the ministers would discuss joint action on the refugee influx, the unemployment crisis and security during their meeting.
| If there is anything the EU does well, it's to hold discussions... |