By Hajer M'tiri

PARIS

Frans Timmermans, the first vice-president of the European Commission, on Tuesday warned that this month's EU summit comes at an "auspicious time", and Europe must take its destiny "into its own hands".

"It is the first time since 1945 that an American president has not seen it as an American strategic interest to work hard to ensure a vibrant and unified Europe and a robust Transatlantic relationship," Timmermans told a meeting of the European lawmakers in Strasbourg. His remarks followed last weekend's G7 summit.

"This means the EU needs to take its destiny more into its own hands," he said, adding the EU unity "is built upon the Member States that voluntarily and democratically decided to link their destinies and shape their future together."

EU heads of state or government will meet in Brussels on 28-29 June to discuss the most pressing policy priorities for the European Union, including how to move forward with the EU’s common asylum system and also to evaluate the progress of the ongoing Brexit negotiations.

They are also scheduled to debate the next EU long-term budget, security and defense, innovation and digital Europe and Eurozone reform.