Juncker tells German newspaper all the EU wants from Britain is ‘clarity’, as meaningful vote on Brexit deal looms next month

Jean-Claude Juncker has said the European Union is not trying to stop Brexit, and wishes to kickstart discussions of future relations between the two as soon as parliament approves the deal.

“It is being insinuated that our aim is to keep the United Kingdom in the EU by all possible means. That is not our intention,” he said in a German newspaper interview.

“All we want is clarity about our future relations. And we respect the result of the referendum,” he said.

A vote is now due in the Commons in the week beginning 14 January, after Theresa May postponed it from December when it became apparent it would not be voted through.

She promised to go back to the EU to get further concessions on key issues such as the so called Irish backstop, but has so far enacted no concrete change.

Juncker said Britain should “tell us what it is you want,” in an interview with Welt am Sonntag. “I am working on the assumption that it will leave, because that is what the people of the United Kingdom have decided,” he added.

On the subject of a second referendum, he said: “That is for the British to decide.”

In the wide-ranging interview, Juncker also addressed concerns about tensions between Donald Trump and the EU.

On the subject of car tariffs, which have caused mounting worries in recent months, he said: “I trust him for as long as he keeps his word. And if he no longer keeps it, then I will no longer feel bound by my word either.”

Speaking ahead of European Parliament elections later this year, he said it was important to ensure political rifts do no become too deep.

“We must not imply that the populists are right … they are just loud and do not have any specific proposals to offer on solving the challenges of our time.”