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Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe in London
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson hailed the deal with the EU as a “comprehensive Canada-style free trade deal” that would provide certainty to businesses.
The new agreement will preserve trade in goods between the EU and the UK free of tariffs and quotas and is the largest bilateral trade agreement signed by both countries, covering trade worth around £ 660bn.
“We have regained control of our laws and our destiny,” he told a Downing Street news conference. “Since 1 January we are outside the customs union and outside the single market. British laws will be enacted only by the British Parliament, interpreted by UK judges who are in the UK courts and the jurisdiction of the court of EU justice will come to an end “
However, Johnson stressed that the UK will continue to work in harmony with the EU, adding: “This is good business for all of Europe, and also for our friends and partners.”
Speaking directly with European leaders, the prime minister added: “We will be your friend, your ally, your supporter and indeed we will never let you forget: your number one market.”
“This country will continue to be culturally, emotionally historically and strategically linked, geologically to Europe.”
Johnson argued that the UK would have a stable and prosperous relationship with the EU under the new agreement. “Winning freedom is a fantastic thing…. But it’s how we use it, how we make the most of it, that’s what is going to matter in the coming months and years, “he said.
The prime minister said both sides had been committed throughout the process to move the talks forward and thanked the negotiators for their efforts in recent months.
In a separate press conference on Thursday afternoon, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, described the agreement as “fair” and “balanced” and said the EU would continue to cooperate with the UK in areas of mutual interest. , for example in the fields of climate change, energy, security and transport. “Together we still accomplish more than we do apart,” he said.
With the UK transition period scheduled to end on December 31, British MPs have been told to expect to have an emergency session of the Commons on December 30.
