EU leaders meet on Brexit as UK election indicates a way out

European Union leaders gathered Friday to discuss Britain's departure from the bloc amid some relief that Prime Minister Boris Johnson has secured a parliamentary majority that should allow him to push the long-stalled Brexit divorce deal through parliament.

With or without an agreement, Britain is scheduled to leave on Jan. 31. It's the first time that a country will have left the world's biggest trading bloc. Though many EU leaders are relieved that the Brexit saga is finally coming to an end , more than three years after Britons voted to leave, just as many are saddened at the departure of such a heavyweight member state.

I deeply regret that the United Kingdom, our friends, are leaving the European Union, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar told reporters in Brussels.

However, he conceded that it's always easier for us to be able to negotiate with a partner who has a strong personal mandate and can control a majority in their parliament.

Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel said: I still regret the outcome of the referendum but I respect it. I'm happy that it will be finally now over with this situation where we are able to agree here but in London they are not able to agree. So, finished, this situation, and that's good for all of us."