Sigmar Gabriel’s shock dig at Brexit voters for not grasping “modern sovereignty” came minutes after Jean-Claude Juncker begged the EU27 to fund the expanding European project.
The German foreign minister and a strong supporter of the EU, Mr Gabriel hit out at those who believed leaving the EU would strengthen a country’s sovereignty.
He had been speaking at a conference detailing the next seven-year budget of the EU, following speeches by Mr Juncker and European Commission budget Gunther Oettinger.
Although the German minister did not mention Brexit by name, his attack focused on those who want to leave the EU out of the fear that bloc threatens national sovereignty.
He told the audience: “We need more Europe, not less. Europe is there to make us strong in foreign policy and defence.”
In a lengthy passage, he railed against what he called the “myth” that the EU is a risk to national powers.
Mr Gabriel explained: “There is no loss of sovereignty by being part of EU.
“There might be a loss of sovereignty if we did not have the EU, if nations have to defend interests of their population.
“It is vital and important our society understands modern concept of what real sovereignty is.”
He urged EU countries debating membership of the bloc to face the blunt fact that Europe is shrinking while the rest of the world grows.
Mr Gabriel added: ” We are losing in the size of the population and our economy.
“In the future, Europe will only be able to act on a sovereign basis through the EU
“We will only win back sovereignty through the EU – we have lost this in today’s world.
“Even Germany – as big and strong as it is – will not have a voice by itself.
“Our children will have a choice – no voice or a common European voice.”