A timeline of negotiations and associated actions March 2017

The UK gave formal notice of its intention to leave the EU on 29 March 2017, setting 29 March 2019 as the possible date of exit. Negotiations on the form of Brexit between the UK and EU will be framed and conducted according to Article 50 of the Treaty on .

The UK Government has assured the UK Parliament that it will This publication provides a visual overview of the key steps, be provided with “at least as much” information as the European people and institutions that will be involved in the UK’s process Parliament and will have a “take it or leave it” vote on the final of withdrawal from the EU. This process will involve different draft of the withdrawal agreement before it is concluded. contributors and stakeholders at a UK and EU level, but will also The will closely follow the negotiations impact third countries. The process will include negotiations as and provide consent for the withdrawal agreement before it to some or all of: is concluded. >>the UK’s withdrawal arrangement with the EU At the same time as negotiating the UK’s withdrawal, both the >>the future EU-UK relationship EU and UK will also be thinking about their trading positions with >>transitional arrangements third countries with whom the EU has existing agreements. >>trade relationships of both the UK and the EU with third countries. The UK will also be considering trade arrangements with other third countries and will be facing the task of ensuring that the existing EU laws are adapted and adopted into UK law on exit day via the Great Repeal Bill.

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registered foreign lawyers or European lawyers. Please refer to www.linklaters.com/regulation for important information on our regulatory position. GC9080_F/03.17 A timeline of and associated actions Key Council of the EU European Parliament UK Government UK Parliament Non-EU countries representatives (Heads of State or (Ministers) – – – Prime Minister Government) Didier Seeuws – Head Chief negotiator Representative for – President of task force Sabine Weyand – negotiations Deputy Chief Negotiator

March Art. 50 TEU 2017 notice The European Union The UK Government (Notification of Withdrawal) notifies the European Act 2017 allows the Prime Council of its intention Minister to notify the EU to leave. of the UK’s intention to withdraw from the EU.

April/May Negotiating 2017 guidelines European Council provides negotiating guidelines to the EU negotiating team. The UK’s position under Opening the existing FTAs between the negotiations The European EU and third countries Commission submits must be settled. These The Council opens recommendations to the agreements may either the negotiations and Council on the opening of cease to include the UK, nominates (Head of) the the negotiations. or become tripartite. The UK can engage in Union’s negotiating team. Negotiation discussions with third countries regarding future June 2017 Two year trade relationships. The UK cannot conclude – negotiations trade agreements with September Prolonging the UK negotiating team UK Parliament third countries. 2018 negotiation: European will include the Prime will receive “at UK and European EU negotiating team will likely include officials from the Parliament Minister, Theresa May, least as much” Council can unanimously European Commission and the Council of the EU. closely follows and will be supported by information as decide to prolong the Information Information the negotiations. the Department for Exiting the European two-year period the EU (DExEU). Parliament. of negotiations.

October Concluding 2018 the – withdrawal UK Parliament has March “take it or leave it” vote The EU may need to 2019 The Council concludes on the final draft of the withdrawal agreement. make adjustments to its the agreement on behalf European Parliament The UK Government trade agreements with of the EU by qualified provides consent concludes the withdrawal other countries. majority (20/27 MS) for the conclusion of the agreement on behalf of after consent of the withdrawal agreement. the UK. European Parliament.

March UK exits the 2019 EU unless The UK is no longer part The Great Repeal Bill and associated of EU trade agreements extension Transitional arrangements. legislation comes into force. with third countries unless of time An EU-UK FTA or future relationship otherwise agreed. is agreed agreement may be deemed a “mixed by all agreement” which would require member ratification by every EU member The UK negotiates new trade states state according to their national agreements with non-EU countries. ratification procedures. Future EU-UK relationship Priority countries could be Switzerland, South Korea. The relationship agreement will either be negotiated in (if no EU-UK-South Korea FTA), Australia, New Zealand, parallel with, or subsequent to, the withdrawal agreement. Canada (if no EU-UK-Canada FTA) and the United States.