According to the top German official, a successful Brexit deal with the UK could become the model for European agreements with other countries.
“If we get a smart agreement with Britain regulating relations with Europe after Brexit, that could be a model for other countries - Ukraine and also Turkey,” German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said in an interview with the Funke media group.
He noted that he did not see these two countries joining the EU any time soon, so alternative forms of closer co-operation were needed.
Such a deal could offer a solution to the puzzle of how the EU can manage its ties with other non-EU states.