The European Union and the United Kingdom have resolved their disagreements on the Withdrawal Agreement. The British government promises to repeal the parts of the so-called Brexit law that violated that agreement. The parts had angered Brussels.
The conflict over the law hampered the negotiation of a trade agreement. This agreement must take effect as soon as the British leave the EU in practice on 1 January. But now there is “agreement in principle on all issues,” said British Minister Michael Gove. Also across the border between Northern Ireland and Ireland, where the EU and UK clashed.
The UK’s intention to break parts of the Withdrawal Agreement was a major point of contention between the EU and the UK. Brussels had even warned that a trade deal would not be possible if the provisions were left in place.
Tuesday’s agreement means the withdrawal agreement could enter into force on January 1, European Commission Vice President Maros Sefcovic said.
However, it does not mean that there is also an agreement on the future trade relationship. The UK and the EU are still in conclave about this, with fisheries, supervision and a level playing field being the stumbling blocks.
The UK has been out of the EU since January 31, 2020. However, there is currently still a transition phase, which will end at the end of this month. London and Brussels hope to reach a trade agreement before then.
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