Britain reaches first deal on leaving EU

Britain and the EU have made "significant progress" in discussions on a withdrawal agreement, ready to move to the second phase of negotiations.

British Prime Minister Theresa May shakes hands with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker during a meeting on December 8 in Brussels, Belgium. Photo: AFP.

"The European Commission today recommends that the European Council conclude that there has been significant progress in the first phase of the Article 50 negotiations with the United Kingdom," AFP quoted a statement from the European Commission, the executive arm of the European Union (EU), as saying today.

The announcement was made after British Prime Minister Theresa May and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker concluded negotiations early on December 8. The three main issues in the first phase of Brexit negotiations (Britain leaving the EU) include the Northern Ireland border, the cost of Brexit and the rights of EU citizens.

"EU citizens have made important life choices based on Britain's membership of the EU. Brexit has left them uncertain," Mr Juncker said of the terms of the deal. "Today, we bring certainty back."

Mr Juncker said Brexit would move into phase two, a transition period, and a “deep, intimate” partnership.

“We have to start looking to the future,” said Mr. Juncker.

According to British Prime Minister May, both sides worked "extremely hard" and admitted that this was a "difficult problem". Both sides "gave and took".

The Brexit deal will protect the rights of around 3 million EU citizens living in the UK. Britain has agreed to pay between €45 and €55 billion for Brexit. As for Northern Ireland, the deal “guarantees no hard border” with the region.

The deal paves the way for EU leaders to begin the second phase of Brexit negotiations at a summit on December 14-15 on the transition period and trade issues.

Britain held a referendum on Brexit in June 2016, with 52% of voters in favor, becoming the first member of the 28-nation bloc to do so.According to plan, Britain will leave the EU at the end of March 2019.

According to VNE