The Brexit process reflects – with specific British features – the emergence of centrifugal forces across Europe.

It also contains the seeds of further potential fragmentation at the sub-national level, as shown by the Scottish issue. This combination is naturally a source of great concern for all EU members in a context of contested political legitimacy and lack of a forward looking shared vision.

Yet, managing Brexit in a pragmatic manner is imperative, for a host of economic, political and security reasons. In fact, it could even unleash a burst of diplomatic and institutional creativity that is probably necessary regardless of the details of the divorce with the UK.