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The exhausted negotiators sealed a deal on future relations between the European Union and the United Kingdom after all-night talks leading up to Christmas Eve ended in a compromise to avoid a collapse of predetermined trade terms on January 1.
The deal, which was delayed until the last possible moment by fish bartering, ends years of uncertainty since the 2016 referendum that has reshaped Ireland’s political and economic future. While it still requires approval from Britain and EU member states, the deal means the worst potential damage to Irish exporters and jobs should be avoided on January 1.
However, it establishes a much more distant relationship between the bloc and its former member that will mean significant barriers to trade and the end of fluid exchange between Britain and the continent.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that he believes the agreement represents a good compromise and a balanced outcome.
A UK spokeswoman said: “A deal was made. This agreement allows the start of a new relationship between the UK and the EU. One we’ve always wanted: a prosperous business and economic relationship between a sovereign UK and our European partners and friends.
“For the British people, the agreement meets the objectives of the 2016 referendum and the 2019 elections, and will bring significant benefits to both the UK and the EU.
“It provides continuity for both the UK and EU economies by supporting businesses on both sides of the channel to continue a close and deep business relationship, fully respecting the sovereignty of the UK and the regulatory autonomy of the EU.
“The UK has always been a dynamic, decisive and positive force in the world. Our European partners also share these values. Next year, when the UK assumes the mantle of the G7 and COP presidencies, we are committed to promoting ‘open societies’ and free trade, turning the tide on climate change and driving the global recovery from Covid-19.
“As the UK advances these goals on the world stage, we welcome continued cooperation with our European friends on issues of shared interest, recognizing the impact we can have together.”
Under the withdrawal agreement signed last year, Northern Ireland will remain largely in line with the Republic and the rest of the EU, while the island of Great Britain diverges, implying controls in the Irish Sea instead. from all over the island.
Negotiators began talks on the future relationship in March, and the agreement they have reached covers the entire scope of interconnection, from police and security cooperation to cross-border energy flows, road and air transport.
Of the three most difficult questions that haunted the talks for a long time: which authority should judge disputes; how to guarantee fair competition between companies; and fishing: it was the question of fishing rights that prevented the two parties from reaching an agreement until the week before its entry into force.
The EU’s starting position was that it should keep all of the € 650 million in fish caught annually in British waters by its vessels, while London insisted that the entire set should be abandoned and shared in annual negotiations.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen took a personal role in delaying the deal, delaying plans for Christmas with her large family in Germany to stay camped out at her apartment in the Berlaymont, ticking off phone calls between London and the capitals of the EU. .
The deal followed weeks of resounding talks in Brussels in which negotiators from both sides worked non-stop over the weekends and nights to try to finalize the 2,000-word trade deal in record time.
Talks were diverted twice during the year by Covid-19 as members of negotiating teams, including EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier, who fell ill, forcing meetings to be rescheduled in person to video conference. But Britain declined its last chance to opt for more time to negotiate this summer.
Ultimately, the pressure from Christmas and Covid-19 combined to toughen the resolve of all parties to end the talks on Christmas Eve, as travel disruption due to a new strain of Covid-19 spreading in the Britain meant that British negotiators feared difficulties returning home.
The agreement reached by the negotiators still requires approval in Westminster and by the 27 EU governments, which are currently examining the text and preparing the necessary legalities to apply it provisionally as of January 1.
There is little time left for the agreement to be put to a vote in the European Parliament before its implementation, which means that official approval of the agreement is expected in the new year.
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