European Council (Article 50) calls for ratification of Withdrawal Agreement by United Kingdom

On the day after the victory by the Conservative Party headed up by Boris Johnson in the general elections in the United Kingdom, the European Council, at its meeting in Brussels on 13 December, analysed the new scenario and discussed future relations between the European Union and the United Kingdom following its withdrawal.

In their conclusions, the EU leaders reiterated their commitment to an orderly withdrawal as provided for in the Withdrawal Agreement and called for it to be ratified and effectively applied. The deadline set for both parties to terminate the ratification procedure falls on 31 January 2020.

The Council invited the European Commission to present a draft global mandate for future relations with the United Kingdom, and expressed its interest in these relations being as close as possible, based on a balance between rights and obligations and under equal conditions.

The Council also expressed its satisfaction at the continuity of Michel Barnier as representative of the European Union in negotiations with the United Kingdom.

Non official translation