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A hard break in relations between Britain and the EU has been avoided. After months of bickering, the Union and the UK reached a trade deal a few days before the deadline to resolve their post-Brexit relationship. This was confirmed by representatives from both sides.
“It took a while, but now we have an agreement. It was a long and bumpy road,” said the head of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. In the end it was “a fair and balanced deal.” The European Union is well prepared for Brexit. Britain is now a “third party”, but the EU and the country remain associated. You share the same values. He is usually happy after such tough negotiations, said the Commission President. But today, frankly, she is also relieved. Von der Leyen concluded his short statement with the words: “We must now leave Brexit behind. Our future is in Europe.”
“The deal is here,” said 10 Downing Street, home of the UK prime minister. Johnson will also testify publicly, probably around 4pm CET. Earlier, EU circles had already confirmed the deal to the German Press Agency, which came after months of deliberations.
The agreement will prevent a tough economic breakdown at the end of the year at the last minute. However, an agreement can no longer be ratified in time. It would have to be applied provisionally if the EU states agree. The British Parliament, however, should approve it before the end of the year.
The UK officially left the EU at the end of January 2020, of which it had been a member since 1973. The transition phase, during which the UK has yet to apply EU rules, ends on December 31. The contract now negotiated aims to avoid tariffs and trade barriers, without a trade agreement the chaos would have threatened. In the event of a “hard Brexit,” experts anticipated higher tariffs for many products and long wait times at the border.
In addition to the rules of fair competition, one of the main points of contention in the trade agreement was future fishing quotas in British waters, which is particularly important for France. Many deadlines have recently been passed without lengthy negotiations. Both parties repeatedly demanded concessions from their respective counterparts. The now negotiated regulation on fishing rights will initially apply for a further five and a half years.
France surprisingly stopped all freight traffic from Britain in the English Channel on Sunday after the British government announced its findings about a new variant of the corona virus that is significantly more contagious. Some saw the chaos in the English Channel as a preview of a possible no-deal. The movement of goods has started again, the EU entry requirement is a negative crown test. Thousands of truckers hope to finally move forward.
