On April 29, 2017, a Special European Council, meeting as 27 member states, adopted the Article 50 guidelines to formally define the EU’s position for the Brexit negotiations with the UK.

The guidelines are set out under six headings that cover core principles, a phased approach to the negotiations, an agreement on arrangements for an orderly withdrawal, preliminary and preparatory discussions on a framework for the EU-UK future relationship, the principle of sincere cooperation, and the procedural arrangements for negotiations under Article 50.

On May 22, 2017, the General Affairs Council is expected to authorize the opening of the negotiations, nominate the European Commission as the EU negotiator, and adopt the negotiating directives. The guidelines and the negotiating directives may be updated in the course of the negotiations as necessary.