EU27 grants flexible Brexit extension until end of October

Leaders of the European Union(EU)'s remaining 27 member countries have agreed to a flexible Brexit extension until October 31, European Council President Donald Tusk said in Brussels at a midnight press conference following a special EU summit.

Leaders of the European Union(EU)'s remaining 27 member countries have agreed to a flexible Brexit extension until October 31.
Leaders of the European Union(EU)'s remaining 27 member countries have agreed to a flexible Brexit extension until October 31.

This means Britain has an additional six months to find the best possible solution, said Tusk.

Such an extension should last only as long as necessary, and in any event no longer than October 31, said a statement released by the EU after marathon closed-door talks.

If the withdrawal agreement is ratified by both parties before this date, the withdrawal will take place on the first day of the following month, said the statement.

The EU underlined that if Britain is still a member of the bloc and if it has not ratified the withdrawal agreement by May 22, it must hold the elections to the European Parliament, otherwise Brexit will take place on June 1.

President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker warned at the press conference that the extra time won't be used for further negotiations. There can be no opening of the withdrawal agreement, he said.

The EU has planned to review the progress of Brexit at its summer summit in June. The summit will not be a negotiation session, Juncker said.

In response, British Prime Minister Theresa May told the press in Brussels that she continues to believe Britain needs to leave the EU with a deal as soon as possible.

European leaders were gathering in Brussels on April 10 for a special summit, ahead of which the British prime minister sent a letter to Tusk, asking for a further extension of the Article 50 period.

Xinhua