EU and UK agree on Brexit deal just one week before deadline

The EU and UK have reached agreement on the pair’s future trading and security relationship on Christmas eve, a week before the end of the Brexit transition period.

Several UK and international media report that new arrangements will allow for tariff-free trade in goods and close police and judicial cooperation.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen have been in constant contact this week, while the announcement that a deal has been reach followed a final call this morning.

The trade agreement is said to be around 2,000 pages and contains provisions on matters ranging from civil nuclear cooperation and energy interconnections, to fishing and aviation.

The agreement avoids a no-deal exit, and is a matter of huge relief to people and businesses on both sides.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said of the agreement:

“It was worth fighting for this deal. We now have a fair & balanced agreement with the UK. It will protect our EU interests, ensure fair competition & provide predictability for our fishing communities. Europe is now moving on.”

UK Government statement

Commenting on the historic deal, a public statement was issued by the UK Government which reads:

 “Everything that the British public was promised during the 2016 referendum and in the general election last year is delivered by this deal.

“We have taken back control of our money, borders, laws, trade and our fishing waters

“The deal is fantastic news for families and businesses in every part of the UK.

“We have signed the first free trade agreement based on zero tariffs and zero quotas that has ever been achieved with the EU.

“The deal is the biggest bilateral trade deal signed by either side, covering trade worth £668bn in 2019.

“The deal also guarantees that we are no longer in the lunar pull of the EU, we are not bound by EU rules, there is no role for the European Court of Justice and all of our key red lines about returning sovereignty have been achieved.

“It means that we will have full political and economic independence on 1st January 2021.”

“A points-based immigration system will put us in full control of who enters the UK and free movement will end.

“We have delivered this great deal for the entire United Kingdom in record time, and under extremely challenging conditions, which protects the integrity of our internal market and Northern Ireland’s place within it.

“We have got Brexit done and we can now take full advantage of the fantastic opportunities available to us as an independent trading nation, striking trade deals with other partners around the world.”