Merkel Confirms Another EU27 Meeting With Theresa May Likely Before April 12

Another EU27 meeting with UK Prime Minister Theresa May is possible at some point before the new Brexit deadline of April 12 to clarify whether the United Kingdom intends to participate in the European elections, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Friday

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 22nd March, 2019) Another EU27 meeting with UK Prime Minister Theresa May is possible at some point before the new Brexit deadline of April 12 to clarify whether the United Kingdom intends to participate in the European elections, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Friday.

The European Council agreed to grant the United Kingdom a Brexit extension until May 22 if the withdrawal deal is passed by the UK House of Commons next week or until April 12 if it is not. The European elections are scheduled for May 23-26.

"It will have to be clarified [by April 12th] whether the European Parliament elections will take place [in the UK] as well. I think it's a very reasonable deadline. We will certainly meet before that date in the presence of the UKI prime minister," Merkel told a press conference.

The chancellor said that the European Union reminded Theresa May on Thursday that it would not sign up to any changes to the agreed terms of the country's withdrawal. The United Kingdom was originally expected to leave on March 29.