The EU 27 ministers today selected Amsterdam, the Netherlands, as the new seat for the European Medicines Agency (EMA). The selection took place in the margins of the General Affairs Council (Article 50), in accordance with the procedure endorsed by the EU 27 heads of State and Government on 22 June 2017.

The two EU agencies currently based in the UK, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the European Banking Authority (EBA), need to be relocated in the context of the UK's withdrawal from the EU.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is responsible for the scientific evaluation, supervision and safety monitoring of medicines in the EU. The EMA is essential for the functioning of the single market for medicines in the EU.

Next steps

The Commission will now prepare legislative proposals reflecting today's vote for adoption under the ordinary legislative procedure with the involvement of the European Parliament. The Council and the Commission are committed to ensuring that these legislative proposals are processed as quickly as possible in view of the urgency of the matter.

Amsterdam, the Netherlands - Offer to host the European Medicines Agency (EMA):