Special European Council (Art.50), 10 April 2019

Summary:

A special summit of the European Council in its EU27 (Art. 50) format was held on 10 April 2019, to address issues relating to the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union (Brexit).

Further information:

EU27 leaders agreed to delay the withdrawal until 31 October 2019. The decision was taken in agreement with the United Kingdom (UK) to allow for the ratification of the withdrawal agreement.

The European Council took note of the letter sent by the UK's Prime Minister requesting a further extension to the Article 50 period due to the inability to have the withdrawal agreement endorsed by the national parliament. Leaders highlighted that the UK would have to hold European Parliament elections should it still be a Member State by the end of May. If the UK failed to hold the elections, it would have to leave the EU on 1 June.

The European Council stated there could be no reopening of the withdrawal agreement and that the extenstion could not be used to start negotiations on a post-Brexit EU-UK relationship. Head of state or government also took note of the UK's commitment to act in a constructive and responsible manner during the extension period.

A debate was held at the European Parliament's plenary session on 16 April regarding the outcome of this European Council meeting.

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Euro|topics, April 2019: Should the British take part in the EU elections? https://www.eurotopics.net/en/218098/

The Economist, 09/04/2019: Theresa May urges Europe to back a Brexit extension https://www.economist.com/britain/2019/04/09/theresa-may-urges-europe-to-back-a-brexit-extension

EU Law Analysis, 10/04/2019: Trick or Treaty? The legal issues of the second extension of the UK’s EU membership http://eulawanalysis.blogspot.com/2019/04/trick-or-treaty-legal-issues-of-second.html

EurActiv, 10/04/2019: Macron should keep Britain twisting on its Brexit hook https://www.euractiv.com/section/uk-europe/opinion/macron-should-keep-britain-twisting-on-its-brexit-hook/

Open Europe: Daily Shakeup, 11/04/2019: European Council agrees on flexible Brexit extension until 31 October https://openeurope.org.uk/daily-shakeup/european-council-agrees-on-flexible-brexit-extension-until-31-october/

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Politico, 10/04/2019: Antonio Tajani warns UK that EU election ‘is not a game’ https://www.politico.eu/article/antonio-tajani-brexit-european-parliament-warns-uk-that-eu-election-is-not-a-game/

Deutsche Welle, 10/04/2019: Brexit delayed until October 31, EU and UK agree https://p.dw.com/p/3GZeZ

EurActiv, 11/04/2019: Trick or treat for May as EU leaders agree on Halloween Brexit date https://www.euractiv.com/section/uk-europe/news/trick-or-treat-for-may-as-eu-leaders-agree-on-halloween-brexit-date/

BBC News, 11/04/2019: Brexit: UK and EU agree delay to 31 October https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-47889404

The Guardian, 11/04/2019: Theresa May agrees to October Brexit as Donald Tusk warns UK 'don't waste this time' https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/apr/11/may-agrees-to-october-brexit-after-franco-german-carve-up

The Scotman, 11/04/2019: Nicola Sturgeon leads calls for People’s Vote during extension https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/general-election/brexit-nicola-sturgeon-leads-calls-for-people-s-vote-during-extension-1-4905517

EurActiv, 11/04/2019: EU27 is now free to hold summits without the UK https://www.euractiv.com/section/future-eu/news/eu27-is-now-free-to-hold-summits-without-the-uk/

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European Council (Art. 50) conclusions, 10 April 2019 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2019/04/10/european-council-art-50-conclusions-10-april-2019/

European Council decision taken in agreement with the United Kingdom, extending the period under Article 50 TEU https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2019/04/10/20190410-european-council-decision-on-extension/

Remarks by President Donald Tusk after the special meeting of the European Council (Art. 50) on 10 April 2019 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2019/04/10/remarks-by-president-donald-tusk-after-the-special-meeting-of-the-european-council-art-50-on-10-april-2019/

European Parliament: Press Release, 10/04/2019: Statement by the European Parliament ahead of the 10 April Brexit Summit http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20190410IPR37079/

UK Government: Prime Minister statement at the European Council: 11 April 2019 https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-statement-at-the-european-council-11-april-2019

European Commission: Discours du Président Jean-Claude Juncker en plénière du Parlement européen à l'occasion du débat sur les conclusions de la réunion extraordinaire du Conseil européen (article 50) du 10 avril 2019 sur le retrait du Royaume-Uni de l'UE [in French] http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-19-2159_fr.htm

European Parliament: Press Release, 16/04/2019: MEPs discuss Brexit extension and European elections http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20190410IPR37593/

European Council: Report and concluding remark by President Donald Tusk to the European Parliament on the Special European Council (Art. 50) meeting on 10 April https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2019/04/16/update-report-and-concluding-remarks-by-president-donald-tusk-to-the-european-parliament-on-the-special-european-council-art-50-meeting-on-10-april/

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