Last hurdle cleared in Brussels – Now it's the turn of the British Parliament
The EU leaders signed the Brexit trade pact with Great Britain. The ceremony with EU Commission head Ursula von der Leyen and EU Council President Charles Michel was broadcast on the Internet on Wednesday morning. From a Brussels point of view, this means that the last hurdle before the application of the treaty has been cleared from January 1st. The approval of the British Parliament and the necessary signatures in London should follow on Wednesday.
Council leader Michel praised the agreement as fair and balanced. It protects the interests of the European Union and creates stability and reliability for citizens and companies, explained Michel. The EU will continue to stand side by side with the United Kingdom on important issues, such as climate protection and the global fight against pandemics.
The almost 1,250-page trade and partnership agreement regulates economic relations after the Brexit transition phase from January 1st. This avoids tariffs and keeps friction losses in retail as low as possible. At the same time, many other issues are regulated, including fishing and cooperation on energy, transport, justice, police.
For the time being, however, the treaty can only be applied provisionally, because there was not enough time for ratification by the European Parliament before the end of the year – the agreement between the two sides only worked out at Christmas and thus at the last minute. The European Parliament wants to examine the text carefully. A vote is targeted in February or March.
