EU leaders met from 21-22 March to confer on issues including Brexit and how to strengthen the economic base of the EU. On Brexit, they offered an extension until 22 May 2019, contingent upon the UK Parliament approving the withdrawal agreement in the following week. If the Parliament fails to do so, EU leaders agreed to delay Brexit until 12 April 2019, while expecting the UK to indicate a way forward. To strengthen the economic base of the EU, leaders agreed to further strengthening and deepening the single market, with a focus on climate, artificial intelligence and digital policy. They also advocated developing the digital economy; stepping up investment and risk-taking in research and innovation, with measures such as supporting the European Innovation Council; and pushing for a free trade agenda, with measures such as concluding new free trade agreements, making full use of trade defence instruments and resuming discussions on the EU's international procurement instrument. Leaders asked the Commission to present plans or recommendations regarding most of these topics. The European Council also celebrated the 25th anniversary of the European Economic Area with the prime ministers of Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway who were invited as guests.