Brexit and the single market at the EU Summit
Published
When Prime Minister Stefan Löfven meets his colleagues in Brussels on 21–22 March, Brexit will dominate the meeting’s first day. The EU heads of state and government will also address the EU’s long-term climate strategy and discuss jobs, growth and competitiveness.
Brexit – the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the EU
The EU leaders will open the meeting by discussing the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the EU in the EU27 format, which is to say without the United Kingdom.
On 14 March, the British Parliament voted to postpone the date on which the United Kingdom must leave the EU. Without such an extension, the withdrawal will take place on 29 March. At the meeting, the heads of state and government will agree a position on a possible request for an extension.
The EU’s relationship with China
At the meeting, the EU leaders will also prepare for the EU summit with China on 9 April. Trade, human rights and foreign affairs will be on the agenda for the meeting with China.
Jobs, growth, competitiveness and climate change
On the meeting’s second day, the heads of state and government will discuss jobs, growth and competitiveness in the EU as they note that the single market is celebrating its 25th anniversary.
The EU leaders will also address the EU’s long-term climate strategy and disinformation ahead of the elections to the European Parliament in May.
The meeting of the European Council on 21–22 March will be the first of four planned meetings in 2019.
Prime Minister Stefan Löfven will represent Sweden at the meeting in Brussels.
Produced by the Permanent Representation of Sweden to the European Union, Brussels
