EU leaders have agreed a plan which would delay Brexit from March 29 to May 22 on condition that MPs approve Theresa May’s withdrawal deal next week, the European Council has confirmed.
The European Council added that if the Withdrawal Agreement is not approved in the Commons it will agree to an extension until April 12 “and expects the United Kingdom to indicate a way forward before this date for consideration by the European Council”.
European Council president Donald Tusk tweeted: “EU27 unanimously agrees on its response to UK’s requests. I will now meet PM @theresa_may. #brexit #euco.”
EU27 unanimously agrees on its response to UK’s requests. I will now meet PM @theresa_may. #brexit #euco
— Charles Michel (@eucopresident) March 21, 2019
The European Council published the conclusions agreed by the 27 other members, saying they agreed to an extension to May 22, on the proviso that Mrs May’s deal is approved in the Commons.
The document said: “The European Council takes note of the letter of Prime Minister Theresa May of 20 March 2019.
“In response, the European Council approves 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.
“The European Council agrees to an extension until 22 May 2019, provided the Withdrawal Agreement is approved by the House of Commons next week. If the Withdrawal Agreement is not approved by the House of Commons next week, the European Council agrees to an extension until 12 April 2019 and expects the United Kingdom to indicate a way forward before this date for consideration by the European Council.
“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. Any unilateral commitment, statement or other act should be compatible with the letter and the spirit of the Withdrawal Agreement.
“The European Council calls for work to be continued on preparedness and contingency at all levels for the consequences of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal, taking into account all possible outcomes.
“The European Council will remain seized of the matter.”
EU27 responds to UK requests in a positive spirit and:
👉 agrees to Art. 50 extension until 22 May if Withdrawal Agreement approved next week
👉 if not agreed next week then extension until 12 April
👉 approves ‘Strasbourg Agreement’
👉 continues no-deal preparations— Charles Michel (@eucopresident) March 21, 2019
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