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End of membership of the internal market and the EU customs union
© APA (AFP)
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has highlighted the definitive break with the European Union as a milestone for his country. By the end of the year, Britain is also leaving the EU internal market and customs union after a transitional phase of Brexit. “This is a great time for this country. We have freedom in our hands and now it is up to us to make the most of it,” Johnson said in his New Year’s address to the British people on Thursday.
The UK can now do things differently, “and, if necessary, better than our friends in the EU.” Britain left the EU at the end of January 2020 after 47 years of membership. The trade and association agreement negotiated with the EU at the last minute is now aimed at avoiding a hard break. The most important point is that no customs duties or quantity restrictions will be applied in the trade of goods. In addition, the nearly 1,250-page contract regulates many other issues, including fisheries and cooperation in energy, transport, justice and police. As a result, Britain continues to be bound by European standards in several areas. On the EU side, there was not enough time for ratification in the European Parliament. Therefore, the contract will initially apply on a provisional basis.
Immediately before the UK left the EU internal market and customs union, the Brexit trade pact also removed the last hurdle – the deal was officially published Thursday in the EU legal bulletin. A spokesman for the German presidency of the Council of the EU announced that it could be used provisionally from 1 January 2021 as planned.
Meanwhile, Spain and Great Britain reached an agreement in principle at the last minute that Britain’s Gibraltar would normally join the Schengen area without border controls. This prevented the border between Spain and Gibraltar at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula from becoming an impervious external border for the EU as of January 1, 2021.
Hardliners of Brexit anticipated the historic event in advance. Due to the crown protection measures for the historic event on Friday night in the Kingdom, the celebrations are not allowed, but the media that consider themselves supporters of Brexit already applauded Thursday. The Daily Mail predicted a “new beginning” for the kingdom, while the Daily Express awaited the “best hour” in the country’s history.
The ringing of Big Ben in London at 11pm (midnight CET) will open a new chapter, both newspapers summed up the hopes of Brexit supporters. However, many Britons are now extremely critical of Brexit and its eventual implementation, including in the retail sector.
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