Answer given by President Juncker on behalf of the Commission
11.4.2018
Paragraph 15 of the Guidelines for Brexit negotiations of the European Council (Article 50) of 29 April 2017 states that ‘the future location of the seats of EU agencies and facilities located in the United Kingdom is a matter for the 27 Member States to settle rapidly’[1].
In the margins of the European Council of 22 June 2017, the Heads of State or Government of 27 Member States endorsed the procedure leading up to a decision on the relocation of the European Medicines Agency and the European Banking Authority, including six criteria which interested Member States should address in their offer to host one or both of the Agencies[2].
The Commission was asked to examine the submitted offers and to submit by 30 September 2017 its assessment to the Secretary-General of the Council. On the basis of this assessment and following a discussion, on 20 November 2017 the 27 Member States selected the agencies' new seats.
The Commission did not have any formal role in the selection and it is now for the European Medicines Agency in cooperation with the authorities of the Netherlands to ensure business continuity. The Commission is following the relocation process and assists the agency where relevant.
As regards information on the preparedness of the Amsterdam site, it is the authorities of the Netherlands that can provide the Honourable Member with full and updated information.