[ad_1]
The dreaded no-deal Brexit won’t happen – the EU and Britain have struck a deal after all. However, the deal does not solve all problems. And there are also criticisms from the EU Parliament.
By Stephan Ueberbach, ARD-Studio Brussels
The relief in Brussels is almost palpable. It is not surprising. Because the deal literally comes at the last minute. “We finally reached an agreement!” – after long and difficult negotiations, says the head of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and speaks of a fair and balanced compromise that can avoid the biggest disadvantages for companies, travelers and employees of both parties.
Also because Great Britain has declared that it is ready to continue to comply with EU standards, for example in the environmental or social field, and to maintain its access to the internal market. Particularly important for the head of the Commission: the EU has held together and prepared well for Brexit.
“We know that this agreement will not solve all problems, but we have allocated five billion euros in our budget to support the people and regions that are particularly affected by Brexit.”
“He will only agree reluctantly”
Until recently, the amount of herring, cod, scallops and other shellfish that European fishermen could remove from the water off the British coast was controversial. A transition period of five and a half years was agreed, after which the EU catch quotas will be reduced.
EU Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier is also generally satisfied with the deal: after four years of working together to achieve rules of fair competition, civil rights, peace and stability on the Irish island and a new partnership with Britain , the Brexit clock is no longer ticking.
The approximately 2,000 page contract is now being reviewed in all 27 EU capitals. The governments of all member states must agree, as must the European Parliament. Because the time frame for this is extremely short, the agreement will initially only come into effect on a provisional basis on January 1, which is not particularly well received by MEPs.
“We will only accept this reluctantly to avoid a hard break, but then let’s review the text carefully, maybe one or another improvement is still needed,” says Bernd Lange, head of the EU Parliament’s trade commission.
Britain should remain an important partner
From now on, the EU would prefer to look only forward. Ultimately, says Von der Leyen, Britain will be a third country in the future, but will remain an important partner for the European Union, for example in the fight against climate change, in energy supply or in the sector. transportation, because together we can simply achieve more.
For British friends, as she calls it, Von der Leyen has a very special message. Namely: “Pain is so sweet when you part.”
The quote is from William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, Act 2. The play is a tragedy, by the way.
