The agreement was signed on Wednesday
The 27 EU states officially approved the start of the Brexit trade pact with Great Britain on January 1st. This was confirmed by EU circles on Tuesday to the German press agency. Now all that is missing is the approval of the British Parliament and the signature of both sides on Wednesday. Then a hard economic break with the former EU member will be averted at the turn of the year.
The agreement will be signed on Wednesday morning by EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen and Council President Charles Michel, said Commission spokeswoman Dana Spinant on Twitter. “An important moment,” she wrote. Prime Minister Boris Johnson will then sign the contract in London.
The Brexit transition phase will end on December 31, and Great Britain will leave the EU internal market and the customs union. The almost 1,250-page trade and partnership agreement regulates future relationships. The most important point is to avoid tariffs and ensure the smoothest possible trade. The contract also includes fishing and cooperation on energy, transport, justice, police and many other topics. The federal government had already signaled approval on Monday.
The provisional application of the treaty is necessary because there is no time for ratification by the European Parliament before the end of the year – it should be done after the New Year. A vote is envisaged in February or March after a detailed examination.
