Technical Extension To Brexit Possible In Case Of Agreement On Deal - French Government

A technical extension of the Brexit deadline is possible if the UK House of Commons passes the withdrawal deal, the spokesman for the French government said Wednesday

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 20th March, 2019) A technical extension of the Brexit deadline is possible if the UK House of Commons passes the withdrawal deal, the spokesman for the French government said Wednesday.

UK Prime Minister Theresa May confirmed earlier in the day that she had written to European Council President Donald Tusk to inform him that London would seek a Brexit extension until June 30.

"A technical extension can always be envisaged to finish parliamentary work if there is agreement, which is what Mrs May is asking for and this will be discussed tomorrow at the European Council ... It is up to London to formulate proposals and up to the European Council to discuss them at the meeting which will be held tomorrow," Benjamin Griveaux told reporters.

The spokesman added the Brexit delay was not "automatic" and May would have to explain why she wanted one.

"The position of France is simple. The UK prime minister has to explain to us how long [the extension will be], for what purpose, and she has to give us guarantees that this extension of Brexit will not be a solution in itself, it can only be a means to an end. A delay is, therefore, neither automatic, nor certain," Griveaux said.

The European Council meeting will be held on Thursday and Friday, with Brexit delay expected to be one of the key issues.

The original deadline for the UK departure is March 29.