European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker warned Friday that the EU could be doomed if other member states followed Brexit in leaving the bloc.

He also said Britain would face a bill of around 63 billion U.S. dollars as part of its departure from the EU, but insisted this was not a punishment.

Juncker was speaking in a media interview just days ahead of British Prime Minister Theresa May's starting of the Brexit process by sending a letter to trigger article 50.

The letter, to be sent next Wednesday, will kick-start two years of talks between London and Brussels to reach a deal on the future relationship between Britain and the EU.

In Friday's interview, Juncker described Brexit as a failure and a tragedy, but insisted he was not hostile towards Britain.

Juncker said that if any of the remaining 27 member states were to follow in Britain's footsteps, it could threaten the trading and economic bloc.

"I don't want others to take the same avenue. Let's suppose that others will leave -- two, three, four or five. That would be the end, the EU would collapse," he said.

There has been talk on both sides of the English Channel as to how much Britain would have to pay to leave the EU, with some sources putting the amount at 75 billion U.S. dollars or even higher.

In the interview, Juncker said the estimated 63 billion U.S. dollar price tag would cover the cost of projects Britain was already committed too, as well as the cost of pensions of EU officials who served during the period of Britain's membership.

The Commission president said the EU would approach withdrawal talks in a friendly and fair way, adding he was strongly committed to protecting the status of the three million EU nationals currently living in Britain and the million British nationals living in other EU states.

The interview came a day before leaders of EU member states are to gather in Rome Saturday to celebrate the signing of the Treaty of Rome 60 years ago, the agreement that saw the birth of what is now the EU. Britain will not join in the celebrations.

source: Xinhua