The statement comes a day after the European Commission stressed that any extension to Article 50 would bring “serious” risks to the Brexit process, with EC President Jean-Claude Juncker reportedly saying that the UK should leave by 23 May.
According to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Brussels could approve a short delay to Brexit in principle so long as Britain’s Parliament passes a twice-rejected withdrawal deal next week.
She noted, however, that the EU must ensure the legitimacy of the European elections.