– Has regained control – E24

The clock was ticking toward a hard Brexit when the advance occurred overnight on December 24. It took at least five phone calls between Prime Minister Boris Johnson and EU leader Ursula von der Leyen to have all the details in place.

– We will continue to work with the UK in all areas where we have common interests, says von der Leyen, highlighting climate, energy and transport as key areas.

Shortly after the EU leader’s press conference, Prime Minister Boris Johnson addresses the British in a separate press conference:

– This is good business for all of Europe. It won’t be bad for the EU to have a successful Britain on the doorstep, Johnson says.

– We have regained control of our laws and destiny, he continues, but then adds that the country will continue to be linked to Europe. Economically, culturally, historically and strategically, the country is connected to the continent, he believes.

– Fair agreement

Von where Leyen was finally able to say on Christmas Eve that the parties had reached an agreement:

– It was a long and winding road, says Ursula von der Leyen, and hints at the famous Beatles song “The Long and Winding Road”. Although it was difficult to reach him, he describes the agreement as “fair.”

Von der Leyen believes that the so-called “hard Brexit”, without a deal, would be unfortunate for both parties, but would affect the British more.

– To all Europeans, I want to say: the time has come to leave Brexit behind. Our future is being created in Europe, he says.

– The clock no longer ticks. Today is a day of relief, but also a sad day, when we compare what we have had with what awaits us, says the EU’s chief negotiator, Michel Barnier.

With the UK Prime Minister, on the other hand, there is little sadness to trace.

At the press conference, Johnson described the deal as “the largest trade deal ever” and claimed it was worth 660 billion pounds. He also believes that this is the first time since the 1970s that the British have “control over their own waters.”

– The agreement has been made, writes the Prime Minister on his Twitter account on Christmas Eve.

“The deal is fantastic news for families and businesses everywhere in the UK,” Johnson said in a statement.

– We have signed the first free trade agreement based on zero tariffs and zero quotas that has been agreed with the EU.

“We have regained control of our money, borders, laws, commerce and fishing grounds,” Johnson said.

– The negotiations with the EU were sometimes intense, but I think this is a good agreement for the whole of Europe.

Solberg congratulates

– I would like to congratulate the UK and the EU for agreeing on an agreement for their future relationship. This is good news for the UK, the EU and Norway, Prime Minister Erna Solberg says in a press release, after the news broke.

– An agreement will provide predictability for everyone, including us.

Leaders of other countries have also commented on the agreement.

– The unity and strength of Europe have paid off. The deal with the UK is critical to protecting our residents, fishermen and producers, French President Emmanuel Macron says on Twitter.

– We can quickly assess whether Germany can support this agreement or not, says Chancellor Angela Merkel. She says the European Commission has kept member states updated on the process along the way.

Norwegian Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen Søreide says Norway has always had the goal of “preserving as far as possible the good cooperation and the good conditions that we have today in cooperation with the United Kingdom.”

– I think we have largely succeeded, says Søreide in the press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In the same message, the Foreign Ministry writes that Norway is ready for transition on January 1. At the same time, they still have to work to establish a free trade agreement with the country.

– A key aspect of Norway’s preparations is the temporary goods agreement which ensures that we avoid tariffs on industrial goods after the New Year. At the same time, we continue to work on the free trade agreement so that it can come into force as soon as possible, says Trade and Industry Minister Iselin Nybø.

– Play about symbol politics

– This has been a game about symbol politics. Boris Johnson can now tell the British that they won. EU leaders in Brussels will claim what the EU won, British expert Jan Erik Mustad tells VG.

Until recently, it was all about fish, access, and quotas. It must be at this point that the British have had to make the biggest and most painful concessions.

NTB writes that under the blanket agreement, the EU will retain two-thirds of its fishing rights in British waters. Now the details on this are supposed to be in place. It was previously reported that the agreement in the case of fishing is valid for five years.