A few days before the Brexit date, Boris Johnson officially signed the agreement.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Twitter that he signed the UK exit agreement from the European Union on Friday January 24, welcoming January 31. “a new chapter in history” from his country. The text was signed earlier today by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
Today I have signed the Withdrawal Agreement for the UK to leave the EU on January 31st, honoring the democratic mandate of the British people.
This signature heralds a new chapter in our nation’s history. pic.twitter.com/IaGTeeL2is
– Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) January 24, 2020
Definitively approved on Wednesday by the British Parliament and promulgated on Thursday by Queen Elizabeth II, the agreement will be submitted to the European Parliament next Wednesday for ratification. Diplomats from EU member states will approve it the next day in writing and it will be the last step in the process. The United Kingdom will then be able to leave the European Union on January 31, after 47 years of a marriage which will have ended with more than three years of difficult negotiations and acrimonious debates on the British side on the modalities of divorce.
On February 1 begins a transition period until the end of 2020, a period during which the two parties hope to negotiate their future relationship. The United Kingdom will continue to apply EU rules during this period, without however taking part in Community decisions. The United Kingdom and the European Union are due to start negotiations on their new relationship at the end of February, including a free trade agreement. Michel Barnier, who piloted the Brexit agreement, will be responsible for leading the discussions for the continent.
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