EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker confirmed that until withdrawal negotiations are concluded between the European bloc and the UK, EU rules still apply.

Article 50 from the Treaty for the Functioning of the European Union states that unless negotiations for terms of withdrawal in a time span of two years, the outgoing state’s membership would end automatically.

Article 50 is the clause which must be invoked for a member state to leave the EU.

“We are ready to launch negotiations swiftly with the UK regarding the terms and conditions of its withdrawals with the EU,” President Juncker said while addressing a press conference this afternoon.

“Until negotiations are over, the UK remains a member of the EU, with all rights and all obligations that derive from membership. According to the treaties ratified by the UK itself, EU laws will continue to apply until it is no longer a member,” he added.

He went on to say that the agreement settlements which were ongoing between the UK and the European Council throughout the year will “no longer take affect and ceases to exist.” This refers to talk of renegotiation terms in order to try get the UK to remain in the bloc – which President Juncker completely refuted.