Brexit: European Commission begins procedure for the signature and conclusion of the agreement on the UK’s withdrawal from the EU

Following the endorsement by the European Council (Article 50) on 25 November 2018 of the draft Withdrawal Agreement – as completed at negotiator level on 14 November 2018 – the European Commission has today adopted two proposals for Council decisions on the signature and conclusion of the text.

These proposals launch the formal process necessary for the EU to conclude the Withdrawal Agreement and follow the European Council (Article 50) conclusions, which invited the Commission to “take the necessary steps to ensure that the agreement can enter into force on 30 March 2019, so as to provide for an orderly withdrawal.” The Council must now authorise the signature of the Withdrawal Agreement on behalf of the Union. The European Parliament must then give its consent before being concluded by the Council. To enter into force, the Withdrawal Agreement will, of course, also have to be ratified by the United Kingdom, in accordance with its own constitutional requirements. Today’s proposals are available online. For more information on the Withdrawal Agreement and the Political Declaration, see here (For more information:Margaritis Schinas– Tel.: +32 229-60524; Daniel Ferrie – Tel.: +32 229-86500)