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<p>The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man have a special relationship with the EU,
provided under Protocol 3 to the UK’s Treaty of Accession to the European Community.
The procedure governing a country’s departure from the EU is set out in Article 50
of the Treaty on European Union. This provides for a period of two years for the negotiation
of exit terms. After two years, the departing Member State is deemed to have left
the EU, meaning that both the rights and the obligations that derive from membership
would lapse. This two year deadline can be extended, but only by unanimous agreement
of all EU Member States.</p><p>At the February European Council, the Government negotiated
a new settlement, giving the United Kingdom a special status in a reformed European
Union. The Government's position, as set out by the Prime Minister, my Rt Hon. Friend
the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), to the House on 22 February, is that the UK will
be stronger, safer and better off remaining in a reformed EU.</p>
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