Closing the noisy UK-EU 'divorce'

The breakthrough has helped avoid the “no deal” scenario that many feared would have sparked economic turmoil and severely disrupted the flow of goods and medicines.

Light at the end of the tunnel

“The deal is done” - that was the content of the statement issued by Downing Street on the afternoon of December 24, and then quickly received confirmation from Brussels. The whole of Europe has received the long-awaited Christmas gift, even at times it seemed that the ray of hope had disappeared as the clock kept ticking towards the December 31 deadline. Speaking immediately after the official announcement, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson affirmed that the agreement just reached is a “good deal” for “all of Europe” - an agreement that represents “a new state of stability and new certainty in a relationship that has sometimes been difficult and arduous”.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds a press conference on the results of Brexit negotiations at Downing Street, London on December 24. Photo: Reuters

Repeating the nationalistic tone that appeared so clearly inreferendum campaignn on Brexit, the British leader said: “We have taken back control of our laws and our destiny… from 1 January, we will be outside the customs union and outside the single market; British laws will be made solely by the British Parliament, interpreted by British judges sitting in British courts; and the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice will end.”

Mr Johnson also asserted that Britain had secured a “Canada-style” trade deal worth £660 billion ($893 billion) and, referring to the fisheries deal – a key sticking point in the negotiations – asserted that Britain had regained “full control” of its seas.

On the other side of the "battle line", after the news of a settlement of the shocking "divorce" dispute, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen expressed her agreement that the EU has reached atrade agreementfair and balanced post-Brexit. However, at a press conference, she still “hinted” that in the negotiations, her bloc still had the “upper hand” compared to the opponent: “As we know, in any case, if there is a hard Brexit, it is not good for either side, but it will be more damaging to the UK than the European Union with all its strength of 450 million citizens. And so, from a position of strength, we have been able to offer the most comprehensive agreement ever.”

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (right) speaks after reaching an EU-UK agreement in Brussels on December 24. Photo: AP

Leave the past behind, look to the future

Now, EU leaders, the European Parliament and the British Government will all need to ratify the deal. First, the legal text of the agreement will be translated, reviewed and approved by all 27 EU member states. It is known that most of these leaders generally welcomed this week's hot news. For example, French President Emmanuel Macron said that "European solidarity and determination have paid off", and assessed the deal as "necessary". Meanwhile, Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney welcomed the fact that the Good Friday Agreement will be protected, affirming that it is a "fresh start" forBritish relations. Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo said that the only thing that mattered to him was to ensure the best possible protection for Belgian economic interests. “We must protect Belgian companies from unfair British competition,” he said. “The initial information seems to indicate that this agreement will give us that essential guarantee.”

Once all member states have signed the agreement, it will be returned to the European Parliament, where members will vote to ratify it. However, the European Parliament has said it will not be able to hold an emergency meeting to vote before the end of the transition period on December 31. Instead, it plans to “provisionally” apply the EU-UK agreement, with members of Parliament meeting to formally ratify it in the New Year. In the UK, lawmakers will return from the Christmas break to discuss the matter on December 30. On December 24, the opposition Labour Party announced it would accept and vote in favor of the trade deal.

Many views say that although the trade deal that the two sides reached this week marks an important milestone in the past four and a half years, sinceBritain voted to leave the EU, but it still does not bring closure to years of fraught political wrangling in the UK. Eurosceptic lawmakers are now staging efforts to ensure the deal leaves no room for Britain to return to the EU's orbit. After Thursday's announcement, Mr. Johnson had to reinforce his pro-Brexit stance, asserting that while the EU was and remains an "extraordinary concept," "Britain's own relationship with it has always been difficult." He also stressed: "A very dense integration program is not right for the United Kingdom, and that's why it's right to take back control in the way we did. I think this deal represents what the people of this country voted for in 2016, and I think what they decided was wise."

Britain and the EU have reached a historic post-Brexit trade deal after a record-long "marathon" of negotiations. Photo: AP

Meanwhile, pro-European voices are full of hope that at some point in the future, Britain – perhaps under new leadership – will be able to strengthen ties with Brussels.

Returning to the other side of the negotiating table, European representative Von Der Leyen confirmed that while some parts of the UK may have had a tough day, Europe is ready to forge its own path. Quoting poet TS Eliot, she said: “What we call a beginning is often an end, and to make an end is to make a new beginning.” With that in mind, she sent a message to all Europeans that it was time to leave the Brexit story behind and focus on the future, which is being built right in the heart of Europe.

Key points of the agreement:

* No tariffs and quotas on goods;
* Ending freedom of movement, meaning British citizens will no longer have the right to work, live, study, or start a business in the EU without a visa;
* Border checks will be introduced between the UK and EU member states;
* There will be no hard border on the island of Ireland between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland;
* Britain will be allowed to further develop its fishing activities for at least five and a half years, during which time European fishing communities will be protected;
* Together committed to protecting the environment, fighting climate change and carbon quotas;
* Shared commitment to protecting social and labor rights;
* Maintain standards of tax transparency;
* Rights of passengers and workers in the transport sector;
* The UK will continue to participate in many EU programmes until 2027, such as Horizon Europe, subject to UK financial obligations.