On EU Open Day the public got in β€” but UK stayed away

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A man waves a flag at the Open Day in Brussels | European Union

On EU Open Day the public got in β€” but UK stayed away

Britain noticeably absent from the institutions’ exhibition.

By
David M. Herszenhorn

Updated

Brexit might be delayed seemingly indefinitely, but as the the EU celebrated its annual “Open Day” on Saturday, the United Kingdom was already gone.

British journalists, in particular, noted that only one of the EU’s still 28 member countries did not have a presence. No prizes for guessing which.

As the European institutions opened their doors to the public, Her Majesty’s Government, and its many diplomats and civil servants still stationed in Brussels, were discreetly but noticeably absent.

But with all the hype about Brexit this year, some couldn’t help but see Open Day as an opportunity to get a first-hand look at where some of Britain’s most dramatic moments have played out in recent months β€” in the European Council’s Europa Building. That’s where the heads of state and government meet for regular summits and where U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May recently had to plead for not one, but two, Brexit extensions.

Inevitably, some used the opportunity to protest, or at least urge the U.K. to change its mind.

Of course, it’s not all about Brexit. The EU is focused on lots of other important work. The bloc’s foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, put out a strongly worded statement on the Iran nuclear agreement. Then, she stopped down to say hello to the crowds of visitors who had come to see where EU diplomacy happens.

Even Russia couldn’t help but meddle in the fun!

There was Greek dancing.

And Maltese dancing.

And a celebration of Latvian cooking.

And before the day was done, the European Council β€” master of issuing formal conclusions of any EU gathering β€”Β  put out a highlights reel.

Authors:
David M. Herszenhorn 

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