[ad_1]
For 48 years, the UK has been at odds with the rest of the EU in an often turbulent relationship. The process of leaving the Union has been long and complicated.
The fate of the country is now in the hands of the British, says Boris Johnson.
“11:00 pm on December 31 marks a new beginning in the history of our country and a new relationship with the EU as its greatest ally,” he said in a statement.
The withdrawal itself occurred on the last day of January this year, but tonight at 11pm British time, midnight in many other European countries, the transitional rules that have been introduced for both companies and the public will expire. adapt to Brexit.
Big Ben bell
In London, Big Ben will strike 23 o’clock when the transition period officially ends, despite the clock having been silent since 2017 due to renovations. In part, the ringing is said to be performed as a test before the clock strikes the new year an hour later.
No formal events have been scheduled for this time, due to the corona pandemic.
It was in the summer of 2016 when the British people voted in favor of leaving the EU, a result of the elections that generated significant friction within the country. After the actual withdrawal eleven months ago, negotiations on a free trade agreement with the EU have continued and the news that such an agreement has been reached came on Christmas Eve. The idea is that the agreement, which was signed by Prime Minister Johnson on live television on Wednesday, will mitigate the effect of the country’s withdrawal.
“Brexit is not an end, but a beginning,” Boris Johnson told parliament just hours before the assembly approved the trade deal on Wednesday, according to Reuters.
Queen Elizabeth has also given her approval, The Guardian reports.
After midnight, among other things, the EU rules on free movement will no longer apply between the UK and EU member states.
Continuous cooperation
Opposition leader and Brexit opponent Keir Starmer says his Labor party will work for “greater prosperity, justice and opportunity” as the country goes its own way.
– I think our best years are ahead.
The UK is the first country to leave the EU, but it will continue to cooperate with the EU on internal security, mainly law enforcement, and will still have the opportunity to participate in certain EU programs.
Kristin Groth / TT
The UK left the EU on January 31, 2020, after 52 per cent of voters in a 2016 referendum said they wanted to leave. During a transitional period, however, the withdrawal has not been very noticeable, except that British ministers and officials no longer attend regular EU meetings in Brussels and that the country’s MEPs have gone home.
In 2020, the EU and the UK will negotiate future trade deals and other collaborations to mitigate the effects of the British withdrawal. The news that an agreement had been reached came on Christmas Eve and was drawn up on December 30 by both parties.
[ad_2]
