European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said the post-Brexit trade agreement’s ‘faithful implementation is essential,’ while U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said ratification marked the ‘final step in a long journey’
Relations between the EU and the U.K. have been strained since a Brexit transition period ended on Jan. 1. The two sides have argued so far this year over issues ranging from violations of the so-called Northern Ireland protocol, COVID-19 vaccine supplies to the full diplomatic recognition of the EU in Britain.
EU lawmakers approved the final ratification of the deal nearly five years after Britain decided to leave the bloc. The deal, which was finalized on Christmas Eve, had already been ratified by the U.K. Parliament and conditionally came into force pending the European Parliament’s approval, which marks the final legal hurdle.
Samuel Petrequin
From left, Members of European Parliament, David McAllister, Andreas Schieder, Christophe Hansen and Bernd Lange participate in a media conference after a debate on the EU-UK trade and cooperation agreement at the European Parliament in Brussels, Tuesday, April 27, 2021. (Olivier Hoslet, Pool via AP) April 28, 2021 - 2:16 AM
BRUSSELS - European Union leaders, their British counterparts and European businesses expressed hope Wednesday that the final ratification of the post-Brexit trade deal will open a new, positive era of co-operation despite the many divisive topics remaining between the former partners.
After European lawmakers overwhelmingly ratified the agreement ensuring that free trade continues between the two sides without tariffs and quotas, U.K. Prime minister Boris Johnson said the vote marked the âfinal step in a long journey, providing stability to our new relationship with the EU as vital trading partners, close al
European Parliament ratifies Brexit trade deal by huge majority
Boris Johnson and Lord Frost hail vote as start of new era of UK-EU relations as sovereign equals
28 April 2021 • 8:27am
Ursula von der Leyen speaking in the European Parliament before the vote. She welcomed the result but warned faithful implementation was essential.
Credit: EPA
The European Parliament has ratified the Brexit trade deal by a large majority in what Boris Johnson called the final step of years of negotiations over the UK leaving the EU. Now is the time to look forward to the future and to building a more Global Britain,” the Prime Minister said.
EU lawmakers sign off Brexit trade deal as last major approval step
By IANS |
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UK to do everything to secure good trade deal with EU: Official. Image Source: IANS News
Brussels/London, April 28 : EU and British leaders on Wednesday welcomed the European Parliament s vote in favour of ratifying the post-Brexit trade deal between the European Union and Britain, the last major hurdle that had to be cleared for its full implementation. [The] vote brings certainty and allows us to focus on the future. There will be much for us and the EU to work on together, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in a written statement, the dpa news agency reported.