UK Prime Minister, Theresa May, at the European Council.

European Council grants UK Brexit extension period

EUROPEAN UNION
Saturday, March 23, 2019, 01:00 (GMT + 9)

The European Union has agreed to extend the deadline for the United Kingdom to exit, which was going to be set for next Friday, March 29.

The European Coincil decided to formalise the political agreement reached on March 21 2019 on extending the period for the UK to exit from the European bloc, under Article 50 of the Treaty of the European Union (TEU).

The Council announced that in accordance with the treaties, the decision was taken in agreement with the United Kingdom. Such an agreement was set out in a letter from the Permanent Representative of the UK to the European Union, Tim Barrow, of March 22, 2019.

Under the European Council decision, in the event that the withdrawal agreement is approved by the House of Commons by March 29, 2019 at the latest, the extension will be until May 22, 2019.

European Council President Donald Tusk said: "The UK government will still have a choice of a deal, a no deal, a long extension, or revoking article 50. The 12th of April is the key date in terms of the UK deciding whether to hold European Parliamentary elections. If it has not decided to do so by then, the option of a long extension will automatically become impossible."

If the withdrawal agreement is not approved by that date, the extension will be until April 12, 2019. In that event, the UK will indicate a way forward before April 12, 2019, for consideration by the European Council.

The decision makes clear that for the duration of the extension the United Kingdom remains a member state with all the rights and obligations set out in the treaties and under EU law.

The European Council on Thursday offered the UK two different Brexit extension options.  The UK has been seeking an extension for the Article 50 exit process to allow for an orderly exit.

The offer:

• Option 1: If the UK parliament votes for the withdrawal agreement next week, it can delay exiting until May 22 to ratify the text.
• Option 2: If it does not approve the deal, the EU will offer a shorter extension until April 12.

If it rejects the deal and takes the shorter extension, it can then decide whether to seek a much longer delay and vote in the European elections or leave on April 12 without a deal.

If the UK is still a member state on May 23-26, 2019, it will be under the obligation to hold elections to the European Parliament.

The extension also excludes any re-opening of the withdrawal agreement. Any unilateral commitment, statement or other act by the UK should be compatible with the letter and the spirit of the withdrawal agreement.

According to Article 50(3) TEU, the treaties are to cease to apply to the withdrawing state from the date of entry into force of the withdrawal agreement or, failing that, two years after the notification, unless the European Council, in agreement with the member state concerned, unanimously decides to extend this period.
 
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