Following negotiations between the negotiators of the Union and of the United Kingdom during the months of September and October 2019, an agreement was reached on a revised text of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland included in the Withdrawal Agreement, as well as on a revised text of the Political Declaration.

With a view to allowing for the finalisation of the ratification of the Withdrawal Agreement, the European Council agreed to a further extension until 31 January 2020. If the Withdrawal Agreement may be ratified earlier, the withdrawal should take place on the first day of the month following the completion of the ratification procedures.