The world witnessed the foundation of a united Europe. The solidarity of the European Union is a fundamental principle based on sharing both the advantages – prosperity – and the burdens equally and justly among members. This, in turn, ensures values like lasting peace, freedom, equality, unity, security and solidarity.

Brexit and its aftermath provide a perfect example of this reality. Two primary reasons why the majority of the British voted for leaving the EU were directly solidarity issues.

Of course, this principle was discarded when they concentrated on the immigration problems and on the annual EU membership fee amounting to billions of pounds, which, instead of being shared, would now be allocated entirely for the benefit of UK people. They were wrong.

They simply overlooked the benefits of the whole European project despite the changes that need to be implemented.

They are now putting pressure on the authorities for another referendum while witnessing economic repercussions like the sliding value of the pound, London’s imminent shrinking as a global banking centre and the loss of the crown as Europe’s fintech centre with a very likely end of investment in their start-ups.

This is a lesson to be learnt. Solidarity whether political, social or an everyday principle, is beneficial first and foremost for the one who practises it. It overshadows self-centredness and corruption – the root of all social problems – in our efforts to help others bring out the best in their personalities and lead a better quality of life.

We can be grateful for the opportunity to form part of the EU.