The European Council announced the conclusions of the 27-nation leaders' meeting on the Brexit issue. The full text of those conclusions is as follows:
1- The European Council approves the agreement on the withdrawal of the UK of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union. On this basis, the European Council calls on the Commission and the European Parliament to take the necessary steps to ensure that the Agreement enters into force on 30 March 2019 in order to provide an orderly withdrawal.
2- The European Council approves the Political Declaration defining the framework for the future relationship between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The European Council reaffirms the Union's determination to get as close as possible to future partnership with the United Kingdom in line with the Political Declaration. The Union's approach will continue to be defined through the general positions and principles contained in the previously agreed guidelines of the Council of Europe. The European Council will keep the issue on a permanent basis.
3- The European Council thanks Michel Barnier for his efforts as a key negotiator of the Union and for his contribution to maintaining unity among EU Member States27 during negotiations on the UK's withdrawal from the European Union.
