A V Martin (Letters, February 18) says he is pessimistic about co-operation between nations, and refers to the collapse of the League of Nations.

That collapse was caused by the opting out and refusal to co-operate by nationalist governments in those countries, whose behaviour subsequently gave rise to the Second World War.

He then belittles the work of the League’s successor, the United Nations, in preventing the anticipated war between the USA and Russia, and ignores its work in setting up agencies that have patently reduced conflict and relieved suffering around the globe.

The one certainty about Brexit is that after walking away from the EU, the UK will inevitably be involved in rapidly negotiating another regional association of nations, committed to working together to tackle common, cross border problems beyond the capability of any nation to resolve on its own.

Europeans, not least the British, have for centuries been exchanging across borders, ideas and experience on good governance, democracy and human welfare.

We all share the fruits of that dialogue.

Closer co-operation is the tide of history.

Maurice Vassie, Deighton, York