The Twenty-Seven discussed very briefly on Friday 21 June the progress of the United Kingdom's plan to leave the European Union.
European Council President Donald Tusk stressed that this discussion had been an opportunity to recall that the EU remains open to changes in the political declaration on post-Brexit bilateral relations, if "the UK's position evolves". "We want to avoid a disorderly Brexit and establish as close a future relationship as possible with the United Kingdom", he said. And to specify: "The withdrawal agreement is not open for renegotiation".
The Commission also informed the Twenty-Seven of the EU's state of preparedness for a possible no-deal exit scenario. But there was no discussion on what will happen on 31 October, the date on which the extension of the deadline granted to the United Kingdom last April for an orderly exit (see EUROPE 12233/1) will expire.
The day before, the Irish Prime Minister, Leo Varadkar, had stated that the patience of the Twenty-Seven had come to an end and that there was great "hostility" among European leaders regarding a possible further extension of the deadlines set out in Article 50 of the Treaty after 31 October.
This hypothesis was not discussed on Friday, but the Irish Prime Minister recalled, at the end of the meeting, that all this had to be discussed with the next British Prime Minister, and in particular the issue of the backstop intended to prevent the return of a physical border between Ireland and Northern Ireland, an issue which, according to Mr Varadkar, cannot be "reopened".
"I look forward to meeting the (future) Prime Minister and hearing if he has any new ideas", he added, as the final race for Theresa May's succession will be between Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt.
Several leaders wanted to establish a "good cooperation" with the future British leader, such as German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Mrs May "has been extremely loyal and respectful, she has never sought to block Europe", noted French President Emmanuel Macron. "I don't know who will come next. But I hope that he will have the same spirit of seriousness and responsibility", he said. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic with editorial staff)