1:22 p.m. ET, April 9, 2019
Tusk urges leaders to consider long, flexible extension
FREDERICK FLORIN/AFP/Getty Images
EU leaders should consider a long but flexible delay to Brexit, Donald Tusk, the President of the EU Council, has said in his invitation letter to the attendees at Wednesday's summit.
"I trust that we will continue to do our utmost" to avoid a no-deal Brexit,
Tusk writes. But he reflected Europe's pessimism about the prospect of Theresa May passing her Withdrawal Agreement through the House of Commons -- and said a long delay was therefore the best course.
"Our experience so far, as well as the deep divisions within the House of Commons, give us little reason to believe that the ratification process can be completed by the end of June," Tusk writes. "In reality, granting such an extension would increase the risk of a rolling series of short extensions and emergency summits, creating new cliff-edge dates."
"This is why I believe we should also discuss an alternative, longer extension," he adds. May has formally requested a delay until June 30, but Tusk appears to be resistant to this timing. He adds that a "flexible extension," which could be terminated when May passes a deal, is an option -- but reiterates that the Withdrawal Agreement is not open for re-negotiation.
Tusk also appeared to push back against the apparent wishes of France and other states to strip back Britain's powers while they remained in the EU.
"The UK would have to maintain its sincere cooperation also during this crucial period, in a manner that reflects its situation as a departing member state," he writes. "We should remember, however, that the United Kingdom will remain a member state with full rights and obligations. And, in any event, the UK can revoke Article 50 at any time, as stated by the European Court of Justice."
He concludes with an amicable call to the 27 remaining EU leaders. "Whatever course of action is taken, it must not be influenced by negative emotions," Tusk writes. "We should treat the UK with the highest respect, as we want to remain friends and close partners, and as we will still need to agree on our future relations. Neither side should be allowed to feel humiliated at any stage in this difficult process."