EU27 offers Brexit extension until 22 May 2019

The EU27 leaders met on 21 March 2019 to discuss the latest developments following the United Kingdom’s notification under Article 50.

Leaders took note of the letter of Prime Minister Theresa May of 20 March 2019, in which she had requested  to delay Brexit until 30 June 2019. They offered an extension until 22 May 2019.  It will be granted if the UK Parliament approves the withdrawal agreement next week. If it does not, EU leaders agree to delay Brexit until 12 April 2019, expecting the UK to “indicate a way forward before this date”.

“The European Council reiterates that there can be no opening of the Withdrawal Agreement that was agreed between the Union and the United Kingdom in November 2018.”

European Council (Art. 50) conclusions

EU27 leaders highlighted that any unilateral commitment, statement or other act should be compatible with the letter and the spirit of the withdrawal agreement. They called for work to be continued on preparedness and contingency at all levels for the consequences of the UK’s withdrawal, taking into account all possible outcomes.

The European Council (Art. 50) also approved the Instrument relating to the withdrawal agreement and the joint statement supplementing the political declaration agreed between the European Commission and the government of the United Kingdom in Strasbourg on 11 March 2019.