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The European Union will survive if Britain opts to leave it, but would be dead without France, outgoing President Herman Van Rompuy said on Thursday, Sputnik reported.

“Without the United Kingdom, Europe would be wounded, even amputated – therefore everything should be done to avoid it,” The Telegraph quoted him as saying at a farewell lecture in Paris ahead of his departure at the end of this month.

“But it will survive. Without France, Europe — the European idea – would be dead.”

His comments come as relations between the EU and Britain are heating up.

British Prime Minister David Cameron has pledged to renegotiate Britain’s relationship with the EU as he is coming under growing pressure within the country.

Up to half a dozen members of the cabinet believe Britain should leave the EU if David Cameron fails to deliver a major overhaul of Britain’s membership terms.

Cameron is expected to make a speech this week outlining his plans to reform the relationship between the EU and Britain, including possible restrictions of the free movement of people within the EU.