#Brexit - Signed, sealed, and not quite delivered

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel sign the EU's Withdrawal Agreement with the UK

This morning (24 January), European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel signed the Agreement on the Withdrawal of the UK in Brussels, writes Catherine Feore.

The European Parliament's plenary will hold a vote on the agreement on 29 January. Once the European Parliament has given its consent, the Council will adopt it by written procedure on 30 January.

Ursula von der Leyen, Charles Michel, Michel Barnier

The UK concluded its parliamentary ratification on 23 January and was given Royal Assent. On the same day the European Parliament’s Constitutional Affairs Committee gave their recommendation that next week’s plenary approves the agreement. 

TheEuropean  Parliament’s co-ordinator of the Brexit Steering Group Guy Verhofstadt (Renew Europe, BE) made a short presentation of his report and Committee Chairman Antonio Tajani  (European Peoples’ Party, IT) also congratulated all involved and called for a round of applause for the British MEPs who had been part of the Committee and the European Parliament. 

The debate in the Committee focussed on Parliament’s contribution to protecting citizens’ rights and the Irish border. Martina Anderson MEP (Sinn Fein, Northern Ireland) called for continued vigilance from the European Parliament. Many other MEPs voiced their regret at the UK’s departure.

Following the signing by Von der Leyen and Michel the agreement was sent to the UK. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “The signing of the Withdrawal Agreement is a fantastic moment, which finally delivers the result of the 2016 referendum and brings to an end far too many years of argument and division.”

The signing was witnessed by EU and Foreign Office officials who transported the treaty from Brussels. Downing Street staff including the PM’s Chief Negotiator David Frost were present.

Signed, sealed and not really delivered until 31 December 2020

When the United Kingdom leaves the European Union on 31 January 2020, not much is likely to change. The UK will enter the transition period which will mean business as usual for citizens, consumers, businesses, investors, students and researchers in both the EU and the United Kingdom. The UK will also subject to EU law this period due to expire at the end of the year. However, the EU will no longer be represented in the EU institutions, agencies, bodies and offices.

During the next 11 months the EU and UK hope to deliver on the commitments made in the Withdrawal Agreement and reach an agreement on a limited trade deal.

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