You're listening to a podcast from the BBC World Service. This is Hard Talk with me, Stephen Sacker.

Thanks for downloading this edition of the programme. I do hope you enjoy it.

Welcome to Hard Talk on the BBC World Service with me, Stephen Sacker.

Britain is facing up to its moment of truth on Brexit. In just a few days, the UK Parliament will decide whether

to accept or reject the departure terms agreed by British Prime Minister Theresa May and the

leaders of the EU 27. But this is a moment of truth for all of Europe too. If, as seems likely,

the deal is rejected, Britain will be plunged into

political crisis, but the repercussions will be enormous and potentially grave for the EU as a whole.

My guest knows that better than most. Danuta Hugner sits on the Brexit steering group of MEPs

in the European Parliament.

She's a former Polish EU Commissioner, and she knows the importance of ensuring Britain doesn't

exit the Union without meeting its financial obligations.

A host of problems are not hard to see.

There's the particular vulnerability of the Irish economy and the serious implications for cross-channel trade and many of the EU's biggest exporters.

Understandably, much of the focus right now is on Britain's political crisis. But is the EU ready for the chaos that might unfold?

Myel Deneutah Hubner joins me now on the line from Brussels.

Welcome to Hard Talk.

Welcome to you as well.

I talked about the fateful decision facing the British Parliament.

How closely are you and others at the heart of power in Brussels watching the events unfold in the UK

right now? Well, we have been, I think, watching, I can say safely what's going on in UK

from the very beginning of this, first of all, of this announcement back many years ago of the

...